Bintang displays street cred

Bintang displays street cred

SEMARANG: Sri Bintang Pamungkas, the Indonesian Democratic Union Party (PUDI) boss very popular among reformists, is known as an "ex-detainee" and nothing else among the city's traders.

Bintang learned the bitter reality when he dropped by Karangayu and Bulu markets on Monday to distribute party stickers to traders and shoppers.

"Isn't it Pak Bintang who was detained with (labor leader) Pak Pakpahan?" a woman mumbled out loud. She was heard by Bintang, who smiled at her and replied, "Yes, Mam."

Bintang, imprisoned on charges of insulting then president Soeharto in a 1995 demonstration in Germany, was soon swarmed by traders asking for his autograph.

He was so overwhelmed that he asked his aides to give his admirers PUDI rubber stamps, Antara reported. (pan)