Parties Still obsessed with shows of foece<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Even though the political parties are legally confined to hold
\ntheir rallies indoors for most of the campaign period, they are
\nstill obsessed with parading through town in a "show of force"
\nwith huge gangs of mostly tough-looking young men waving flags.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is no
\nexception, with many cities turning red on Tuesday, including
\nJakarta, as a part of the party's strategy to "impress" voters by
\nthe strength of the party, despite growing complaints about the
\nbehavior of the red and black-clad gangs.<\/p>\n
The party had thousands of supporters engaged in noisy rallies
\non the capital's major streets although the supporters are only
\nsupposed to attend indoor campaigns in various parts of the city,
\naccording to the Election Law.<\/p>\n
One of the largest crowds was seen at the Sumantri
\nBrodjonegoro sports complex in South Jakarta, with party
\nexecutives Mangara Siahaan and Sabam Sirait as campaigners.<\/p>\n
Senior member Taufik Kiemas, who is also the husband of the
\nparty's chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, told the party's
\nsupporters in Sukabumi, West Java that only when his wife's party
\nwins a landslide victory -- and mandate -- in the April 5
\nlegislative election would the country be able to achieve its
\nobjective of creating a prosperous society.<\/p>\n
Taufik said the party should be able to secure between 30
\npercent and 40 percent of the country's 147 million voters. In
\n1999, they won 34 percent. Megawati has previously said there was
\na 50 percent target.<\/p>\n
Taufik also warned the party's supporters to change their
\nbehavior. "Even before the election campaign actually, we knew
\nthat we would win. But, if you (supporters) do not abide by the
\nregulations, and you don't start being polite, even acting
\nbrutally, then we will be the loser," said Taufik during a
\ncampaign speech.<\/p>\n
The party also changed Kupang, the capital city of East Nusa
\nTenggara, into a sea of red, as an estimated 100,000 supporters
\ntook to the streets.<\/p>\n
The party' campaigners Lt. gen. (ret) Theo Syafei and former
\nminister of environment Sonny Keraf urged the supporters to
\nmaintain the party's power.<\/p>\n
"I have campaigned everywhere, but today is the largest," Theo
\ntold supporters at Lasitarda soccer field in Kupang.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, around 2,000 supporters of the Reform Star Party
\n(PBR) packed the Senen sports building in Central Jakarta to
\nattend the party campaigns, presenting a number of legislative
\ncandidates including its chairman Zainuddin MZ.<\/p>\n
Zainuddin strongly criticized politicians of major political
\nparties, who failed to deliver on their promises to combat
\ncorruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN).<\/p>\n
"How dare they say they are fighting KKN?" said Zainuddin.<\/p>\n
According to Zainuddin, economic development should be for all
\ncitizens, and would be a key to resolving various problems,
\nincluding poor education standards, poor security conditions and
\npoverty.<\/p>\n
Separately, legislative candidates from the Prosperous Justice
\nParty (PKS) on Tuesday took to Jl. Mampang Prapatan in South
\nJakarta to meet and greet commuting citizens, who packed the
\npublic transportation minibuses passing by the party's main
\noffice.<\/p>\n
In the minibuses, the legislative candidates introduced
\nthemselves to the sweating passengers. However, it all caused a
\nmassive traffic jam along the street as hundreds of buses packed
\nwith the party supporters opted to take the streets to give
\nsupport for the candidate.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Antony Z. Abidin, an executive member of Golkar,
\nsaid on Tuesday that the party had warned Golkar's presidential
\ncandidates Surya Paloh and Prabowo Subianto about attacking other
\ncandidates during their campaigning.<\/p>\n
In Padang, Democratic Party (Partai Demokrat) leader Subur
\nBudhisantoso reiterated that the party's commitment was to
\npluralism. He also promoted the party's presidential candidate
\nGen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.<\/p>\n
In Salatiga, Central Java, the Crescent Star (PBB) leader
\nYusril Ihza Mahendra promised free education.<\/p>",
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