Megawati-Susilo stoke rivalry at Jakarta rallies<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the founder of the newly
\nestablished Democratic Party, increased his attempt to challenge
\nhis former boss, President Megawati Soekarnoputri, when
\ncampaigning for his party in Jakarta on Sunday amid clear
\nindications that Megawati's popularity has declined sharply
\ncompared to five years ago.<\/p>\n
Susilo, however, only criticized the government's
\nshortcomings, despite the fact that he had been a part of it
\nsince 1999 until recently. Meanwhile, Megawati was busy defending
\nher achievements. And like five years ago, she attempted to
\nportray herself as the victim of a political conspiracy by her
\nfoes.<\/p>\n
A crowd of only about 10,000 attended the general's rally,
\nmuch smaller than the 100,000 Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI-P) supporters who are estimated to have attended
\nMegawati's rally.<\/p>\n
No clashes were reported, however, when their supporters met
\non the streets. They even waved their hands at each other.<\/p>\n
The former coordinating minister for political and security
\naffairs showed his supporters during the rally in Kemayoran,
\nCentral Jakarta, that he could sing all the words of a dangdut
\nversion of local rock group Jamrud's ditty, Pelangi di Matamu
\n(Rainbow in Your Eyes).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the President did a little dance when the band
\nbacking up local group Dewa struck up during her rally at the
\nBung Karno Stadium.<\/p>\n
Susilo, however, failed to convincingly prove that he was
\nbetter than Megawati. In this, he is not much different to other
\nMegawati's other political rivals, who are quick to criticize her
\nbut fail to offer alternative policies.<\/p>\n
\"After five years of a transition period, our country has yet
\nto see any improvements. A lot of people wishes have been
\nbetrayed by the current government ... We are going to run a
\nclean political show to resolve all the problems,\" said Susilo,
\nwho resigned from Megawati's Cabinet on March 11.<\/p>\n
Susilo has been fully involved in formulating the government's
\npolicies since his appointment by then president Abdurrahman
\nWahid in 1999 as minister of mines and energy. Not long before
\nAbdurrahman's downfall in July 2001, he was appointed as
\ncoordinating minister for political and security affairs. He was
\nfired shortly before Abdurrahman's dismissal.<\/p>\n
Megawati appointed him to the same position. He decided
\nrecently to retire from the Cabinet to challenge her in the July
\n5 presidential election.<\/p>\n
\"We gather here to seek a change leading to a better
\nIndonesia,\" said Susilo during the rally.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in a feisty speech Megawati said that despite all
\nthe negative predictions about her party, she was certain that
\nthe PDI-P is still loved by its supporters and would win the
\nApril 5 legislative election.<\/p>\n
\"They said that I am just a housewife. Well, this housewife is
\nstill able to draw a crowd like this. I hope all mothers will
\nvote for me,\" she said to the cheering crowd.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post reported five years ago that in its final
\nrally in Jakarta the PDI-P was able to attract nearly one million
\nsupporters in Jakarta. However, Sunday's attendance was much
\nsmaller.<\/p>\n
Another party contesting the election, the Indonesian Justice
\nand Unity Party (PKPI), also held outdoor rallies in the capital,
\nbut only 1,000 supporters showed up, who quickly drifted away
\nfrom the location due to stifling heat. Earlier in the day, the
\nparty also held a rally in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. Muslim
\nscholar Nurcholish Madjid was present at the rally.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, supporters of the Democratic Party and the PKPI
\nboth paraded around the city in convoys of vehicles. The colorful
\nconvoys attracted a great deal of attention from the city's
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Vice President Hamzah Haz, the chairman of the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP), addressed thousands of supporters
\nin Bengkulu, Sumatra. He indicated that he was quite satisfied
\nwith his current position as vice president.<\/p>",
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