Lapindo Case not to Affect Votes for Golkar, says Official

Surabaya, East Java (Antara) - The Lapindo mud disaster in East Java will not reduce the number of votes Golkar party expects to receive in the April 9 legislative elections, according to Golkar deputy chairman Sharif Cicip Sutardjo. "Based on a survey that we have conducted, the Lapindo case will, in fact, not affect the number of votes for Golkar party," Sharif told newsmen here on Saturday. He was in Surabaya to accompany Golkar Chairman Aburizal Bakrie, while campaigning in East Java. Sharif noted that in the general elections five years ago, Golkar won only 11 seats in the East Java Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), while this year the party is expected to take 15 seats. "It is even possible that the party might gain around 17 seats at the DPRD in this year's elections," he said, adding that the Lapindo case was settled five years ago and, therefore, it will not affect the vote count this year. (*)