Merauke, Jubi – Merauke Regent Romanus Mbaraka warned village chiefs to stop talking about politics and trying to influence voters ahead of regional head elections on 9 December.
“Some village chiefs in particular native Papuans spend time talking about politics. It’s really a waste of time. It is better for them to use their time to work,” Mbaraka said in a speech to dozens of village chiefs going for a comparative study in Malang on Sunday (17/5/2015).
He said village chiefs must be neutral and not favour any particular candidates.
“You must realize you are not the one who get the official car, but that particular candidate. So, stop taking politics or provoking people,” he said. “I said this explicitly for your own good due to the fact the people’s living especially those who live in the local villages is still under the expectation. They are not as advanced as people in the migrant villages,” he said.
Meanwhile a Marind youth figure, Beny Kaize added the village chief must act well, not involved in the campaign of particular candidate. “I think the rule is very clear saying the village chief must be neutral,” Kaize said. (Frans L Kobun/rom)
