Demos banned at HI's traffic circle

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta administration and security authorities temporarily prohibited protests and rallies at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in the heart of the capital beginning on Monday.

As the announcement was being made, some 2,000 supporters of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, a leading candidate in Wednesday's presidential election, gathered at the traffic circle.

The hundreds of riot police at the scene held their positions and looked on as the demonstrators, most attired in the party's red-and-black shirts and accessories with a bull symbol, waved banners and posters and chanted slogans.

Governor Sutiyoso, who announced the joint decision after chairing a meeting of city leaders, said the prohibition was also effective on the city's main thoroughfares of Jl. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Gatot Subroto.

The Hotel Indonesia traffic circle connects Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, while Jl. Gatot Subroto, which crosses Jl. Sudirman, runs in front of the People's Consultative Assembly, which will elect the country's fourth president on Wednesday.

The traffic circle has been the site of numerous demonstrations over the past several weeks, some involving thousands of supporters of Megawati and President B.J. Habibie, as well as smaller gatherings of activists.

"We have seen that supporters (of presidential candidates) tend to be worst (behaved)," Sutiyoso said after the meeting, which was also attended by Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman and Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Soetanto.

Supporters of any candidate "will be dispersed if they continue to hold rallies in these areas," Soetanto said.

He suggested supporters of presidential candidates and other groups hold their gatherings in places such as Proklamasi Monument in Central Jakarta or the Blok S soccer field in South Jakarta.

Djadja said the prohibition would be effective until seven days after the end of the Assembly's General Session on Thursday.

Over the past few days, the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle has seemingly been constantly "occupied" by PDI Perjuangan supporters.

The crowd of Megawati supporters also painted messages on the roads on Monday. One message read: "Reject Habibie and Wiranto or Revolution."

Four demonstrators later walked around the traffic circle carrying a chair with a homemade crown on top of it. A piece of paper on the chair read: "People's throne for Ibu Mega."

City councilor Audy I.Z. Tambunan of PDI Perjuangan regretted the prohibition.

"It's a public place so the city administration should not prohibit us from holding rallies," Audy said.

"Habibie's supporters can also hold rallies at the traffic circle," he said.

Earlier in the day, Habibie, accompanied by Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Wiranto and National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, visited riot police stationed at his residence in Patra Kuningan, South Jakarta, and at the National Monument in front of the Presidential Office in Central Jakarta, to thank them for safeguarding his residence and the city.

After shaking hands with one of the officers, Habibie asked him how old he was.

The nervous officer said: "60 years, Sir."

Antara news agency quoted Habibie, who is 63, as quickly replying: "Still too young .... "

Soldiers and police officers above the age of 55 are not allowed to be on active duty.

Habibie told journalists the visit was "to personally thank the troops ... it's normal and wise because they have done their jobs tirelessly and always with patience".

Habibie, amid strong pressure to drop his bid for the presidency, continues to seek support for Wednesday's election. Through Golkar Party, Habibie named Wiranto as his only candidate for the vice presidency.

However, a few hours after the visit, Wiranto -- accompanied by about a dozen of his top officers -- said on state television station TVRI that he rejected the candidacy unless "the people really want it". (jun/asa/01/bsr)