Parties push ahead with premature campaigning<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Although the official election campaign period
\nis still a month away, political parties across the country have
\nmoved their electioneering activities into high gear.<\/p>\n
In some cities, motorcades of party supporters in colorful
\nuniforms and bandanas snaked through small streets and major
\nthoroughfares. No fatalities or violence has been reported over
\nthe past three days from electioneering, which is officially
\nscheduled for May 19 through June 4.<\/p>\n
However, there were some reports of harassment. The Suara
\nPembaruan afternoon daily said on Sunday a dozen members of
\nruling Golkar Party's security force were harassed in the Central
\nJava town of Boyolali as they returned from a gathering with
\nparty chairman Akbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
They were blocked by a group of unidentified people on Jl.
\nMerbabu, and were allowed to go after being forced to remove
\ntheir party uniforms, the newspaper said.<\/p>\n
Akbar and a number of party executives were in Boyolali for a
\nreading of the Koran to mark Islamic New Year, the first day of
\nMuharram on Saturday, which was celebrated on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post's correspondent in Boyolali witnessed the
\narrival of Akbar's convoy -- comprising about 2,000 people, far
\nlower than the expected 20,000 -- at Sonolayu stadium, and said
\nthe supporters were jeered at by locals.<\/p>\n
When Akbar waved to the crowd, most people responded by
\nshowing the finger sign of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) led by popular politician Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Tension was felt when some people in the crowd shouted to
\nGolkar's security personnel -- numbering over 1,000, according to
\nprovincial task-force commander Bambang Raya
\n-- \"You're thugs\".<\/p>\n
Bambang said the security force included members of Golkar's
\nyouth wings AMPI, PPM and FKPPI.<\/p>\n
In his speech, Akbar said: \"Yes, indeed there are people
\nintimidating us, but don't be afraid to stand up to them.\"<\/p>\n
\"I am here, and no riots have broken out as some press reports
\nsaid would happen if I came,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Akbar was referring to strong opposition, voiced by various
\nparties, to his planned visit to Central Java, following a clash
\nbetween Golkar members and supporters of PDI Perjuangan.<\/p>\n
However, Akbar's convoy chose an alternate route to continue
\ntheir journey to Surakarta, another central Java town, reportedly
\nto avoid mobs.<\/p>\n
No mass gathering was held by Golkar in Surakarta, following
\nwidely reported rejection by locals, Antara reported on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Another incident took place in East Java's capital of
\nSurabaya.<\/p>\n
A confrontation between supporters of the United Development
\nParty (PPP) and the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Party, was reported by
\nANteve on Sunday. No injuries were reported.<\/p>\n
The news agency also reported electioneering by PPP in West
\nJava's capital of Bandung and Jakarta, the People's Sovereignty
\nParty (PDR) in Jakarta, PDI Perjuangan in Jakarta, the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Union Party (PUDI) in Central Kalimantan's capital of
\nPalangka Raya and the National Democratic Party (PND) in Lampung.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, at least 24 of the 32 parties represented in
\nCirebon, West Java, held on Saturday a joint street rally,
\ncalling for peaceful campaigning, the news agency said.<\/p>\n
In Bandung on Saturday, influential Madurese figure Alawy
\nMuhamad of PPP's board of advisers called on Muslims across the
\nnation to unite and vote for PPP.<\/p>\n
\"If PPP wins, the party will strive to introduce Islamic
\nteaching into the life of society,\" he told a crowd of hundreds.<\/p>\n
A street convoy followed after the gathering, but no violence
\noccurred, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
In the Pasar Minggu area in South Jakarta, the chairman of the
\nJakarta chapter of PDI Perjuangan, Roy B.B. Janis, officially
\nopened 70 \"command outposts\" scattered across the city.<\/p>\n
As many as 2,500 have already been established in Jakarta, he
\nwas quoted as saying.<\/p>\n
The outposts, usually small bamboo huts painted red, are
\nplaced at intersections and street corners as bases for
\nsupporters to gather or conduct party activities.<\/p>\n
Also in Jakarta, thousands of supporters of PDR gathered on
\nSaturday in the Senayan indoor sports stadium to declare the
\nestablishment of the party.<\/p>\n
Press reports have linked PDR to Minister of Cooperatives and
\nSmall Enterprises Adi Sasono.<\/p>\n
Party chairman Latief Burhan denied there was a connection,
\nthe news agency said.<\/p>\n
In Lampung, PND announced on Sunday Megawati's elder brother,
\nGuntur Soekarnoputra, was the party's candidate for president.<\/p>\n
In Palangka Raya on Saturday, PUDI chairman Sri Bintang
\nPamungkas introduced the party's political platform for \"total
\nreform\".<\/p>\n
The reform plan consists of \"seven pillars\": direct election
\nof president and vice president; regional autonomy within the
\nunitary state framework; reform of legislative bodies; the
\nrevocation of the military's sociopolitical role; establishment
\nof an independent judiciary; the upholding of human rights; and
\namendment of the 1945 Constitution. (44\/aan)<\/p>",
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