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