Anti-Golkar demo held in Surabaya

SURABAYA: Some 100 people staged an anti-Golkar demonstration in front of the residence of the chairman of the East Java chapter of Golkar Party on Monday.

The demonstrators, consisting of members of the People's Democratic Party (PRD), Indonesian Christian Students Movement, Indonesian Catholic Students Association and Indonesian Muslim Students Movement, marched to Ridwan Hisyam's house on Jl. Darmokali at about 11 a.m.

The demonstrators demanded the government dissolve Golkar Party, which they accused of wrongdoing during the New Order era.

"There is no other choice for the government but to disband Golkar if it wants to implement reform," Tumbal, a PRD activists, said.

Ridwan's house has served as the party's office since demonstrators vandalized and burned the party's provincial headquarters on Jl. Ahmad Yani on Feb. 7.

The house appeared unoccupied when the demonstration arrived. Ridwan was reportedly in Jakarta, and there were no party activities taking place in the house.

In other news, East Java Police Headquarters, in cooperation with Muslim group Thariqah al-Mu'tabarah al-Nahdiyyah, will sponsor a mass prayer at the Al Akbar Grand Mosque in Surabaya on April 4.

East Java Police spokesman Comr. Ponny WS said on Monday the mass prayer was expected to help police improve relations with ulemas.

"Some 7,000 officials, including National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro and other noted figures, are expected to attend the event," Ponny said. (44/sur)