Megawati's loyalists file Rp 1.1 billion lawsuit<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Local leaders of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) under the government-backed Soerjadi are facing a Rp
\n1.1 billion (US$470,000) law suit filed by their foes Monday.<\/p>\n
The plaintiffs are four loyalists of Megawati Soekarnoputri,
\nthe ousted PDI chief, and the accused are seven Soerjadi
\nsupporters.<\/p>\n
Megawati loyalists have accused their political enemies of
\nattending a rebel congress in June in Medan, North Sumatra, where
\nSoerjadi ousted Megawati with the government's support.<\/p>\n
Represented by well-known lawyer Trimoelja D. Soerjadi, they
\nfiled the suit with the district court Monday accompanied by
\nhundreds of Megawati loyalists.<\/p>\n
\"We will all see whether justice and truth in our country are
\ngiven due respect,\" Trimoelja said amid the cheers of hundreds of
\nsupporters who sang and shouted \"Long live Mega.\"<\/p>\n
Megawati's supporters claim the accused not only breached
\nparty statutes by attending the congress but also betrayed their
\nloyalty to the PDI under Megawati, who was democratically elected
\nin 1993.<\/p>\n
Megawati maintains her claim that she is the legitimate PDI
\nboss.<\/p>\n
Trimoelja said his clients are claiming damages for the loss
\nof funds the Megawati camp had spent for general election
\ncampaigning and for the division within the minority party.<\/p>\n
\"Their participation has ruined the party's credibility in the
\neyes of the public and its sympathizers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that a payout was not the ultimate goal of the law
\nsuit. The main purpose is to show the public whether the law is
\nupheld in courts of justice.<\/p>\n
The suit is part of Megawati's nationwide legal battle against
\nthose who deposed her at the rebel congress.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi, one of the House Speakers' deputies, has met
\nincreasing rejection from PDI members. Members loyal to Megawati
\nreportedly pelted him with rotten eggs during his recent visits
\nto Central Java towns.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, about 25 people staged a protest at the police
\nheadquarters yesterday to demand that Soerjadi and his supporters
\nbe held responsible for their role in the July 27 brutal takeover
\nof PDI headquarters.<\/p>\n
They said the authorities have taken partial action by
\nprosecuting Megawati's supporters who defended the party office.<\/p>\n
\"Megawati's supporters have been jailed and more will be
\ntried. But no action has been taken against Soerjadi's supporters
\nalthough everyone knows they were the aggressors,\" they said.<\/p>\n
The rare demonstration at police headquarters, organized by
\nthe Youth and Student Forum for Democracy and Team for the
\nSupport of Megawati, was held in conjunction with International
\nHuman Rights Day.<\/p>\n
The protesters were met by Col. Iswanto, secretary to the
\nnational police spokesman. (25\/08\/jun\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawatis-loyalists-file-rp-11-billion-lawsuit-1447893297",
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