Do not hesitate to fight back, Akbar tells supporters<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): We are responding to the
\nmounting protests in the country against the existence of Golkar,
\nthe party chairman Akbar Tandjung told supporters here on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
Speaking in front of thousands of party supporters, Akbar
\ncalled on party officials and supporters to resist any form of
\npressure against the party, which had ruled the country for more
\nthan 30 years under former president Soeharto's tenure.<\/p>\n
\"We have the right to defend the party's respect and dignity.
\nDon't hesitate, we must have the courage to defend our party
\nwhenever we are oppressed. If groups of people come to attack our
\noffices, we must take up arms against them,\" Akbar said.<\/p>\n
Protests against Golkar had been staged in the country. The
\nvandalism was pioneered by groups of people, who claimed to be
\nsupporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid in the East Java city
\nof Surabaya last month.<\/p>\n
Since then, anti-Golkar sentiment has grown and vandalism
\nagainst Golkar Party offices in several areas, including
\nYogyakarta, has continued. Last week a large group of anti-Golkar
\nprotesters tried to ransack the Jakarta chapter office but was
\nfoiled by security officers.<\/p>\n
Observers have said that waves of protest against Golkar have
\nbeen provoked by people's vengeance against oppression by the New
\nOrder regime, which was so closely allied to Golkar.<\/p>\n
\"Now Golkar can no longer expect help from others. The party
\ncadres must get prepared to defend the party's dignity,\" Akbar
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He also said he had talked with President Abdurrahman about
\nthe destruction of Golkar offices in East Java. \"I hoped that he
\n(the President) would issue calls to calm down the attackers.
\nUnfortunately, he has never regretted the incidents or prohibited
\nany groups from attacking Golkar offices.\"<\/p>\n
Muhammadiyah<\/p>\n
Separately, Din Syamsudin, deputy chairman of Muhammadiyah,
\nthe second largest Muslim organization, said in Surabaya on
\nSaturday that terror against Muhammadiyah leaders in several
\nareas in East Java could have hampered democracy.<\/p>\n
Speaking to The Jakarta Post in the sidelines of the
\nFundraising Night for Refugees, Din said he deeply regretted that
\nviolence has been repeated again and again.<\/p>\n
\"The security forces should be tougher and do something
\nconcrete to stop such uncivilized action from spreading to other
\nareas,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He reiterated that differences among the people were a normal
\nthing. \"Any party must deal with such differences wisely. Any
\nleaders must guide and set a good example for their supporters.\"<\/p>\n
Din referred to the terrors by certain groups against
\nMuhammadiyah leaders in East Java. Reports also said that unknown
\npeople had put a mark on the fences or front walls of the houses
\nof Muhammadiyah leaders.<\/p>\n
Many speculate that the recent terror was conducted by
\nsupporters of President Abdurrahman following Muhammadiyah
\nleaders' statements on their choice for (Vice President) Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri to assume power.<\/p>\n
But Din Syamsudin said on Saturday, as a moral movement,
\nMuhammadiyah could not just sit and do nothing upon seeing the
\ncountry's deteriorating condition.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Abdurrahman's supporters in East Java continued to
\ncollect signatures on a 100-meter cloth, to express their die-
\nhard support for the President. (har\/nur\/sur)<\/p>",
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