Capital awaits arrival of PDI-P supporters

Capital awaits arrival of PDI-P supporters

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of supporters of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) from East Java and
Central Java are set to flock to the city to support their
chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidential bid.

A party official from East Java, Sutoyo, said in Surabaya on
Friday that about 5,000 supporters of the party would leave for
Jakarta on Oct. 18.

He said the supporters did not intend to disrupt the General
Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), whose 700
members will elect a president on Oct. 20.

A mass build-up of the party's supporters is underway due to
fears Megawati will lose the presidential election. They insist
that Megawati deserves to lead the country after the party's win
in the June elections.

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Wiranto has repeatedly
warned against mass deployment of party supporters during the
General Session.

PDI Perjuangan's Central Java leader Mardijo confirmed in
Semarang on Friday that thousands of the party's supporters would
soon depart for Jakarta.

He denied involvement of the party's Central Java chapter in
the plan.

"It's purely their own idea. Therefore, it's not true that we
are financing their trip," said Mardijo, who also heads the
provincial legislative body.

He said he could understand the supporters' disappointment if
the MPR did not elect Megawati as the country's fourth president.

"They have channeled their political aspirations through PDI
Perjuangan, and won't be satisfied unless Megawati is elected the
president," he said.

Some 300 students of several state and private universities
marched across Surabaya on Friday to demand that the MPR reject
antireform presidential candidates.

They also rejected the naming of presidential and vice
presidential candidates from the military, contending it would
allow the status quo forces to maintain their presence and for
military interference in the government.

The protesters stopped at the provincial legislature,
gubernatorial office and provincial military command to read out
their demands.

Meanwhile, chief of the Diponegoro Military Command overseeing
Central Java, Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, said in Purwokerto, Central
Java, that his troops were ready to counter violent rallies held
by students or PDI Perjuangan supporters.

"We won't hesitate to apply stern measures against anyone who
causes anarchy or trouble during the MPR General Session."

He urged party supporters not to hold mass gatherings to air
their aspirations, saying it would only create opportunities for
unrest.

"Whoever is elected president will be the best choice of our
representatives in the MPR. The military will fully support
whoever is elected."

He hoped the public would exercise restraint until the
Assembly closed its session.

In Jakarta, youth groups under the country's two largest
Muslim organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, pledged
on Friday to safeguard the presidential election.

One of the groups' leaders, Nadjamuddin Ramly, said they would
help the Assembly proceed smoothly and not let disturbances
occur.

"We're strong, we have hundreds of loyal supporters. We are
all united against those who plan to create chaos in the
country," Nadjamuddin said. (har/nur/emf/45/02)