Amien attends big PNBK rally

Amien attends big PNBK rally

SEMARANG: National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais
showed up at a rally here on Friday attended by around 7,000
supporters of the Independence Bull National Party (PNBK), which
is led by noted film director and artist Eros Djarot.

Amien's presence drew much attention from the PNBK members,
who were gathered at the Pancasila ground in the Central Java
capital of Semarang.

Amien's appearance raised speculation that the PNBK and PAN
might be on the verge of forging a political alliance to support
Amien's presidential ambitions.

Amien, who is also speaker of the People's Consultative
Assembly, told the crowd that he had decided to attend the rally
as he had long been impressed by Eros.

"Even my children are admirers of Mas (brother) Eros, ever
since they saw his film Tjut Nya' Dien. This movie shows how much
he appreciates our national heroes," he said.

The rally was to mark the PNBK's first anniversary.

Party supporters marched from the Raden Saleh Park to the
Taman Simpang Lima area before finally assembling at the
Pancasila ground.

They came from several regions across the country, including
Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Papua, Bali, West Java, East Java
and Central Java.

Many of them were dressed in the traditional costumes of their
respective provinces. A number of transvestites also graced the
event.

"I did not expect such an enthusiastic welcome from PNBK
supporters. There are at least 159 people here from Papua alone,"
Eros said.

He said that many members of the PNBK had long been active in
politics but had been disappointed by the attitudes of their old
parties.

"We will accept with open arms those from other parties whose
aspirations have not been accommodated," he said. --JP