Party loyalties set the stage for clashes<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Election-related violence loomed in parts of the
\ncountry on Monday as political parties staged unofficial rallies
\nahead of the June 7 polls.<\/p>\n
Tension boiled over into a clash when supporters of the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) fought with counterparts from the
\nNational Awakening Party (PKB) in the Central Java village of
\nMenganti.<\/p>\n
The brawl erupted from overnight tension in the neighboring
\ntown of Kudus, in which an unidentified group lowered 55 Golkar
\nflags hoisted across the town. Disparaging acts against Golkar,
\nwhich marked its inauguration as a party on Sunday, also occurred
\nin other Central Java towns of Blora, Bojonegoro and Purwokerto.<\/p>\n
Electioneering officially runs from May 15 through June 4.
\nViolence frequently occurred in past elections under the strictly
\ncontrolled New Order regime of Soeharto. In the most recent
\nelection in 1997, police estimate more than 200 people were
\nkilled in sporadic clashes and election-related traffic accidents
\nnationwide.<\/p>\n
There are fears of unrest at election rallies this year will
\nbe worse than ever due to the 48 parties contesting the polls. A
\ntotal of 462 seats in the House of Representatives and scores of
\nothers in the provincial and regency legislatures are to be
\ncontested.<\/p>\n
No deaths were reported in the Jepara clash on Monday, but
\nlocal PKB chairman Ali Irfan said at least 10 people from both
\ncamps were injured, and six motorcycles belonging to PKB
\nsupporters and a car belonging to a PPP supporter were damaged.<\/p>\n
He said the fight exploded when hundreds of supporters of the
\ntwo parties -- both with claims to having Muslim strongholds --
\nmet on their way back from respective party functions.<\/p>\n
An exchange of taunts descended into a battle of stones,
\naccording to Irfan.<\/p>\n
He said the party regretted the incident. \"We should have kept
\ndemocracy in our minds and recognized difference of opinions.
\nIt's OK to disagree, but don't resort to fighting and physical
\nviolence.\"<\/p>\n
In Kudus, secretary of the local Golkar chapter, Suyatno,
\nlamented the insult to his party's attributes, believing it
\ndiscouraged efforts to establish democracy in the country.<\/p>\n
\"We hope for a democratic society, don't we? If so, we should
\nbe able to differ in views and choice of political aspirations,\"
\nhe said angrily.<\/p>\n
Calling itself a functional grouping, Golkar fended off
\ncheating and vote-rigging allegations to win each of the last six
\nelections run under the New Order.<\/p>\n
In Bandung, PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri
\nwarned party followers against violence.<\/p>\n
\"Never think of vengeance of oppression we suffered in the
\npast. Many times we were put in troubles, but we overcame them
\nwith patience,\" Megawati told thousands packing the Gasibu field.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that the final rules of campaign have yet to
\nbe issued by the National General Election Committee (KPU), the
\ngovernment, the dominant element in KPU, and some favorite
\nparties have said they would agree to indoor campaigning.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus said on
\nMonday campaigning through the mass media should be an effective
\nalternative for the many political parties.<\/p>\n
\"But, the mass media must give a fair coverage over the
\npolitical parties' campaigning,\" Yunus told journalists after
\nattending a hearing session with the House of Representatives
\n(DPR) Commission I for political and information affairs.<\/p>\n
At the national meeting of Golkar Party executives late
\nMonday, regional representatives were set to name five
\npresidential candidates in their preferred order, with incumbent
\nPresident B.J. Habibie expected to top the list.<\/p>\n
Habibie was the preferred nominee of delegates from North
\nSulawesi, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi,
\nIrian Jaya and Maluku, sources said during a presentation of
\nviews and candidates held behind closed doors.<\/p>\n
Other candidates are Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, party
\nexecutive Ginandjar Kartasasmita, chairman of the Golkar faction
\nat the Peoples Consultative Assembly Marzuki Darusman, Armed
\nForces Commander Gen. Wiranto and Yogyakarta Governor Sultan
\nHamengku Buwono X.<\/p>\n
Arnold Baramuli, Golkar executive and chairman of the Supreme
\nAdvisory Board and Fahmi Idris, a deputy chairman and Minister of
\nManpower, confirmed the substantial support for Habibie. \"It's
\nnot directed from the top. It's purely an aspiration from the
\ngrassroots.\"<\/p>\n
The meeting is expected to determine a date at which Golkar
\nwill nominate its presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
But Golkar executive Syamsul Mu'arif said that announcing the
\nfinal candidate before the June elections could be a gamble.<\/p>\n
\"If the candidate lives up to the people's expectations, the
\nearly announcement will lead us to another win. It will deliver a
\nbig blow if our candidate lacks popular support,\" Syamsul said.<\/p>\n
He indicated that Golkar would delay the announcement of its
\npresidential candidate until after the elections. (har\/43\/45\/aan\/rms)<\/p>",
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