Trying to recoup old glory, Golkar on the offensive<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Five years ago, when the Golkar Party held its final round of
\ncampaigning in Jakarta, The Jakarta Post reported that \"residents
\nand onlookers jeered and stoned Golkar supporters during their
\nfinal campaign rallies in Jakarta and several provinces.\" At that
\ntime, its supporters donned the party's attributes only at
\ncampaign venues.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Golkar appeared confident in its final round of
\noutdoor campaigning in Jakarta. Its supporters went so far as to
\nattack the campus of a private university in East Jakarta in
\nretaliation for a similar attack by the university's students
\nagainst party supporters.<\/p>\n
Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung reminded the crowd at Blok S,
\nSouth Jakarta, of the glorious past when Soeharto and Golkar, as
\nhis political vehicle, were in power for 32 years until
\nSoeharto's downfall in May 1998.<\/p>\n
\"Our economy was much better 10 years ago. It is evidence that
\nwe can do a better job. It also shows that Golkar has enough
\nexperience (to govern),\" Akbar boasted.<\/p>\n
Akbar, who was acquitted of corruption by the Supreme Court
\nlast month, said he had his own recipe for eradicating rampant
\ncorruption, but failed to elaborate.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar has prepared a strategy on how to eradicate
\ncorruption,\" he said to about 7,000 supporters.<\/p>\n
At least six dangdut singers, including well-known Vetty Vera,
\nentertained the crowd.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the party also deployed three of its six
\npresidential hopefuls to campaign, such as media entrepreneur
\nSurya Paloh in West Jakarta, Gen. (ret) Wiranto in North Jakarta,
\nand businessman Aburizal Bakrie in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Surya, who spoke at Kemanggisan soccer field, West Jakarta,
\nmade a number of promises, including to reduce unemployment,
\ncreate a conducive climate for industrial growth, reduce foreign
\nloans and provide cheap education.<\/p>\n
Even though thousands of supporters arrived at the soccer
\nfield at 10 a.m., not all of them appeared enthusiast. Only those
\nclose to the stage responded to slogans yelled by campaigners.<\/p>\n
Wednesday's campaign was, however, marred by violence when
\naround 80 Golkar supporters attacked Mpu Tantular University in
\nCipinang, East Jakarta, at 3 p.m. injuring at least 21 students.<\/p>\n
A witness said the attack was revenge for Mpu Tantular
\nstudents blocking the route of Golkar supporters last week.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, about 10,000 supporters of the Christian-based
\nProsperous Peace Party (PDS) assembled at a hockey field in South
\nJakarta to listen to a campaign speech by party leader Ruyandi
\nHutasoit.<\/p>\n
Ruyandi, who is also a medical doctor at Indonesian Christian
\nUniversity Hospital, criticized the government for its failure to
\ncreate job opportunities and reduce unemployment, despite the
\nprogress in macroeconomic fundamentals.<\/p>\n
\"If PDS wins, we will create more jobs and reduce
\nunemployment,\" Ruyandi told supporters.<\/p>\n
During the campaign, the PDS leader released 19 pigeons as the
\nparty's symbol and asked supporters to raise their hands and pray
\ntogether for safe elections and peace throughout the country.<\/p>\n
In Nganjuk, East Java, one Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI-P) supporter, Slamet, 20, was killed by a mob while
\non his way home after attending an election rally.<\/p>\n
Police refused to comment on the incident, saying that the
\ncase was still under investigation.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, supporters of PDI-P clashed with the police.
\nSeveral motorcycles belonging to party supporters and police
\nofficers were heavily damaged.<\/p>\n
In Cirebon, West Java, thousands of Democratic Party
\nsupporters were disappointed by the absence of party presidential
\nhopeful Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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