East Java soldiers' wives urged to quit PDI, PKB

JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Armed Forces (ABRI) in East Java will have to bear the consequence if their wives refuse to resign from political parties, an officer said here on Thursday.

The commander of the Brawijaya regional military command, Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, issued the warning in his address during a celebration marking the 24th anniversary of the Dharma Pertiwi association of wives of military personnel.

"I ask Dharma Pertiwi members to resign from political parties before their husbands face sanctions," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

"I have been informed that the wives of some ABRI members here have become members of the executive boards of PKB (National Awakening Party) and PDI (Indonesian Democratic Party)," he said.

However, Ryamizard failed to specify whether the PDI he meant was PDI Perjuangan led by Megawati Soekarnoputri or the PDI led by Budi Hardjono. Nor did he specify what sanctions would be given to the military personnel.

He said the wives of ABRI members were not allowed to become members of a political party's executive board because ABRI should stay neutral in the June 7 general election.

He said ABRI's neutrality would be key to the election's success.

In Jakarta, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Abdurrahman Wahid stated his wish on Thursday to campaign for the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

"I will take a leave from NU's daily activities during the campaign and concentrate on PKB. I also will campaign for PDI Perjuangan," Abdurrahman, also the patron of PKB, said.

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, said there were no rules banning people from campaigning for different parties.

"Moreover, it will be good to create a sense of unity. And I don't think its wrong," he said.

Abdurrahman said he had not made an official request to Megawati to campaign for PDI Perjuangan, but said: "I believe she will gladly accept the idea."

Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest Muslim organization, claims 35 million followers. Members are free to vote for any political party and NU executives have established a number of parties, including PKB and United Believers Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Umat).

Separately in Bandung, West Java, communications expert Djalaluddin Rahmat played down concerns of a partisan press during a seminar on the press and political parties. Apart from conveying information, the press will convey evaluations of parties, which will be in the "publics' interest", he said.

Atang Ruswita, chief editor of Pikiran Rakyat daily, said media considered to favor certain parties would face threats from supporters of rival parties. (edt/43)