Megawati loyalists push on with cause<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri loyalists, sidelined from
\nparticipation in the election, are planning more rallies to prove
\nthey can muster the numbers and that their cause is not lost.<\/p>\n
In Ujungpandang, they are planning another massive street
\nrally after Monday's show of force which stopped the rival
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction campaigning.<\/p>\n
Other Megawati loyalists in Yogyakarta have secured the
\npermission of the local sultan's family to lay wreaths and pray
\nat Imogiri royal cemetery for the sultanate's spirits to bless
\ntheir cause.<\/p>\n
The loyalists were condemned in Bandar Lampung, southern
\nSumatra, yesterday for disrupting a campaign organized by the
\ngovernment-recognized rival party faction under Soerjadi.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi ousted Megawati as party leader in a breakaway
\ncongress in Medan, last year. Megawati, who has refused to
\nconcede the party's leadership, has told her supporters to shun
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
Megawati supporters in several provinces have waged their own
\ncampaign to humiliate Soerjadi by discouraging people from voting
\nfor PDI.<\/p>\n
Andi Potji, a Megawati loyalist in the South Sulawesi capital
\nof Ujungpandang, told The Jakarta Post yesterday he had sought a
\ngovernment permit to hold another rally.<\/p>\n
\"The rally aims to demonstrate our loyalty to sister Mega,\" he
\nsaid referring to Megawati, the eldest daughter of first
\npresident Sukarno.<\/p>\n
\"We are people who follow our conscience and have no respect
\nfor party leaders like Soerjadi who can be used like a tool,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
On Monday, thousands of Megawati loyalists took to the streets
\nof Ujungpandang, where they held a free speech forum to vent
\ntheir frustration.<\/p>\n
Andi said Megawati had blessed the plan. He hoped the next
\nrally would be held soon.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, a six-member delegation of Megawati loyalists
\nmet GBPH Joyokusumo, a younger brother of Sultan Hamengku Buwono
\nIX, to discuss the government's ban on Megawati standing for
\nelection.<\/p>\n
The royal family has given the loyalists permission to visit
\nthe sultan's cemetery tonight (Thursday night) and promised to
\narrange a meeting with the sultan.<\/p>\n
\"He (Joyokusumo) promised to let us meet the sultan in two or
\nthree days,\" said Totok Ispurwanto, a delegate.<\/p>\n
Totok rejected speculation that many local Megawati loyalists
\nwould cross to Golkar or the United Development Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
\"We have no inkling of a shifting allegiance to Golkar or
\nPPP,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview with The Post, the sultan said he hoped
\nMegawati loyalists would not shift their political allegiance but
\ncontinue to seek a resolution.<\/p>\n
From Bandar Lampung, Antara reported that over 100 Megawati
\nloyalists had \"infiltrated\" and disrupted an indoor rally
\nyesterday held by the Soerjadi faction.<\/p>\n
Police controlled the crowd and threw the loyalists out of
\nthe convention building after a 30-minute scuffle. No injuries
\nwere reported. At least one loyalist was detained.<\/p>\n
The PDI faction realized they had a problem when campaigner
\nFathullah began addressing the crowd. A Megawati loyalist stood
\non his chair and shouted pro-Megawati slogans.<\/p>\n
Scores of people, obviously loyal to Megawati, cheered the
\nprotester. Security officers burst into the building and dragged
\nout the loyalists. (38\/30\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-loyalists-push-on-with-cause-1447893297",
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