Hundreds of people leave PDI campaign<\/p>\n
UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): An indoor election campaign
\norganized by the government-recognized Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) faction was abandoned by hundreds of the party's
\nsupporters here yesterday.<\/p>\n
The PDI cadres opted out of the gathering, saying they were
\nbored with the discussion and preferred street rallies instead.<\/p>\n
A score of journalists and the PDI's local functionaries
\nremained in their seats until the party's deputy chairman Budi
\nHardjono completed the two-hour dialog.<\/p>\n
Local PDI campaigners, Octavianus Polnaya and Achmad Sangaji,
\naccompanied Budi in the party's second rally. Other PDI rallies
\nin the province took place in Pinrang, Bone and Polmas.<\/p>\n
Budi, who is running for his third five-year term at the House
\nof Representatives, was not disappointed.<\/p>\n
\"It's a very common thing, mainly because we are not used to
\ncampaigning (in the form of dialog). I saw the same thing happen
\nwhen I was in East Java recently,\" Budi said.<\/p>\n
He said he did not expect to see a huge turnout on his trip.
\n\"For me what's important is a quality campaign,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Tens of buses, vans and motorcycles carrying young PDI
\nsupporters broke the silence with noisy street rallies across the
\ncity while police stood by.<\/p>\n
PDI cadres complained about the absence of a clear campaign
\nschedule. Deputy chairman of the PDI's South Sulawesi branch
\nErens Pinontoan said his office avoided announcing the itinerary
\nfor safety reasons.<\/p>\n
\"We are afraid of (possible clashes) between (different groups
\nof) PDI supporters,\" Erens said, referring to the conflict
\npitting the government-sanctioned PDI against the Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri-led camp.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the military here is investigating the circulation
\nof leaflets persuading people not to vote for either PDI or the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
Spokesman of the Wirabuana regional military command Lt. Col.
\nMokhtar Darise said rifts within each of the political
\norganizations had prompted some people to distribute the
\nleaflets.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, the PDI's first campaign dialog was broadcasted by
\nstate-owned television station TVRI last night. The dialog
\npresented the chairwoman of the PDI faction at the House of
\nRepresentatives, Farimah Achmad, with an audience of mostly
\nwomen.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, the party's mayoralty branch announced yesterday
\nan end to PDI rallies today following Tuesday's clashes pitting
\nits cadres against Megawati supporters, despite the government's
\nsecurity guarantee.<\/p>\n
Dimmy Haryanto, chairman of the PDI's East Java branch, said
\nyesterday that the party would instead distribute pamphlets and
\nhoist flags.<\/p>\n
\"We need time to heal the trauma, build up a new spirit and
\nconsolidate ourselves,\" Dimmy was quoted by Antara as saying,
\nadding that rallies in other East Java towns would go ahead as
\nplanned.<\/p>\n
Surabaya will host PDI rallies in five different locations
\nSunday. (30\/37\/amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hundreds-of-people-leave-pdi-campaign-1447893297",
"image": ""
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