Interpreting bloodied fingerprint<\/p>\n
From Bali Post<\/p>\n
There has been a rather unsympathetic response recently to the
\nfact that members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\n(PDI Perjuangan) in Surabaya made thumb prints with their own
\nblood. It is always all right to respond to this phenomenon as we
\nare now in the run-up to the 1999 General Session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly, which is scheduled to elect Indonesia's
\nfourth president in November.<\/p>\n
In this context, allow me also to interpret this phenomenon,
\nespecially in its inseparable position from present
\ncircumstances. Unless this phenomenon is linked with the
\nprevailing condition, it may imply a negative connotation of
\nviolence. This phenomenon must be seen in the light of the
\nvictory scored by PDI Perjuangan in the recent general election
\nand in the context of efforts to block the nomination of Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri as a presidential candidate. Efforts have been
\nclearly made to reject this nomination on sectarian and divisive
\ngrounds and these efforts have won the support of Habibie's camp.<\/p>\n
In fact, efforts to block the emergence of Megawati's forces
\nhave been in effect since the New Order administration, with its
\nculmination on May 20, 1998. If a present event is linked with
\nthis background and is seen in the light of repression during 32
\nyears of New Order administration, the bitterness of being
\nrepressed for such a long time is really unimaginable. That's why
\nso much pent-up emotion has found its channel with the victory of
\nMegawati's party in the polls, even though, of course, quite a
\nfew are displeased with this victory.<\/p>\n
It is clear, then, that members of PDI Perjuangan have made
\ntheir thumb print with their own blood in anticipation of the
\nemergence of any unconstitutional force, which must be countered
\nwith blood in defense of the leader. This blood pledge is just a
\nreaction and not an action that has appeared out of the intrinsic
\nelements of PDI Perjuangan.<\/p>\n
If the elections were conducted constitutionally, there would
\nbe no such thing as making a thumb print with one's own blood.
\nMegawati, with her charisma, will be able to keep her followers
\nunder control within the constitutional corridor and prevent them
\nfrom resorting to violence.<\/p>\n
I GUSTI NGURAH BAGUS<\/p>\n
Denpasar, Bali<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/interpreting-bloodied-fingerprint-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }