Political Parties Involve Children in Campaigns: KPAI

Jakarta (Antara) - Chairman of the Indonesian Child Protection (KPAI) Asrorun Niam Sholeh stated that political parties still involved children in their election campaign activities. "Data at the Child Abuse Supervision Desk show almost all political parties allow children to take part in their campaign activities with different escalation types and cases," Niam noted here on Tuesday. He remarked that the Golkar Party had three cases in its campaigns while the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), the Democrat and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) had two cases respectively of involving children in their campaigns. The other political parties which have one case each in the violation are the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI). "The PKPI held a campaign with a dangdut music show near the SDN 06 Pela elementary school building, where students were taking a mid-semester test," Niam stated. He mentioned that other parties, which could not yet be monitored in taking children along to the campaign locations such as the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), the People's Conscience Party (Hanuara), the Crescent and Star Party (PBB). A total of 12 political parties in the national level are launching a 21-day campaign until April 5 to contest in the April 9 legislative elections next month. They consist of the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), National Awakening Party (PKB), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), Golkar Party (Golkar), and Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra). The others included Democratic Party (Demokrat), National Mandate Party (PAN), United Development Party (PPP), People's Conscience Party (Hanura), Crescent Star Party (PBB), and Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI). (*)