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)