Thousands hold rally for govt<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of politically-well connected
\norganizations and religious groups held a rally yesterday to
\npledge their allegiance to the government and denounce \"anti-New
\nOrder groups\".<\/p>\n
Donning the respective uniforms of their organizations,
\nseveral thousand people filled the eastern parking lot of the
\nSenayan Sports Complex in Central Jakarta. They read out a
\nstatement, which, among other things, called for strong action
\nagainst members of the allegedly leftist organizations that have
\nbeen accused by the government of masterminding the violent
\nrioting that broke out on July 27.<\/p>\n
The rally organizers, who had expected to gather 50,000
\npeople, then presented a five-point declaration to government
\nrepresentatives.<\/p>\n
\"We condemn the anarchic and brutal riots, the destruction and
\nother destructive actions on July 27, 1996. We ask the government
\nand the Armed Forces to take action against the rioters and the
\nmastermind in accordance with the law,\" the group said in the
\nstatement read out by Harianto Badjoeri, the rally's chief
\norganizer.<\/p>\n
The parking area, usually reserved for driving lessons or
\noutdoor concerts, began filling up with banners as people
\ngathered for the rally around 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
\"We urge the government to immediately outlaw the Democratic
\nPeople's Party (PRD) and other groups which have clearly used the
\nconcept and actions of the (outlawed) Indonesian Communist
\nParty,\" said Harianto, who was clad in the military-like uniform
\nof the Panca Marga Youth organization.<\/p>\n
The declaration called on everyone to beware of \"anti-New
\nOrder groups\" and their campaigns.<\/p>\n
After reading the declaration, which was signed by 51 groups,
\nHarianto then presented it to former Jakarta vice-governor Eddie
\nM. Nalapraya as a representative of the community.<\/p>\n
Eddie then handed over the declaration to the speaker of the
\ncity council, M.H. Ritonga, who then gave it to Jakarta Governor
\nSurjadi Soedirdja.<\/p>\n
The ceremony lasted just 35 minutes.<\/p>\n
Apart from city officials, several high ranking military
\nofficers were also present. They were Armed Forces Chief of
\nSocial and Political Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, Jakarta
\nMilitary Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, and Jakarta Police Chief
\nMaj. Gen. Hamami Nata.<\/p>\n
The rally was a show of support for the government, which has
\naccused organizations like the PRD of exploiting the internal
\nrift within the Indonesian Democratic Party and inciting the riot
\non July 27.<\/p>\n
Several PRD members have been arrested by the military, though
\ntheir leader, Budiman Sudjatmiko, remains in hiding.<\/p>\n
Later in the afternoon, Syarwan Hamid told journalists that
\nthe rally was proof that anti-government protesters did not
\nrepresent the aspirations of the people.<\/p>\n
\"There might be a demonstration of one or two thousand people
\n(by the anti-government groups) but they don't really represent
\nthe population,\" said Syarwan.<\/p>\n
\"No one can claim they represent the wishes or use the name of
\nthe people just like that,\" he added, referring to some of the
\nanti-government groups which claim to represent the masses.<\/p>\n
Syarwan said that the rally should be regarded as having
\nrepresented a broader spectrum of people.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Eddie M. Nalapraya said that, based on the tactics
\nof the PRD and the ideas outlined in its literature: \"I have come
\nto the conclusion that the PRD is a reincarnation of the PKI
\n(Indonesian Communist Party).\"<\/p>\n
Returning to his home after the event Eddie described the
\nrally as \"one way to prevent the influence of the PRD from
\nspreading.\" (mds\/32)<\/p>",
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