REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Some 12 governors and deputy governors had requested for leave permit to participate in legislative election campaigns from March 16 to April 5, according to Minister of Home Affairs Gamawan Fauzi.
"They asked for leave permit and I have signed all their request letters," the minister confirmed on Thursday.
He explained that the regional heads intended to participate in the election campaigns during weekdays were required to apply for leave of absence. However, the minister warned the state officials in the regions against utilizing state facilities to stage their campaigns.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Ministry Information Center spokesman Didik Suprayitno noted that the governors, who had asked for leave of absence, were among others, Irwan Prayitno of West Sumatra, Alex Noerdin of South Sumatra, Ahmad Heryawan of West Java, Soekarwo of East Java, Frans Lebu Raya of East Nusa Tenggara, Cornelis of West Kalimantan, Rudi Arifin of South Kalimantan, Longki Djanggola of Central Sulawesi, and Anwar Adnan Saleh of West Sulawesi.
"And the deputy governors are Aladin S. Mengga of West Sulawesi, and Ishak Melki of South Sumatra," Didik stated, adding that the governors and deputy governors were not allowed to take leave on the same days.