Election result causes anger across nation
Election result causes anger across nation
JAKARTA (JP): Outbursts of anger dominated the country's major
cities on Wednesday following Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri's
presidential election defeat against long-time prominent Muslim
leader Abdurrahman Wahid.
Dozens of people brandishing weapons and blunt objects,
vandalized and set ablaze the Surakarta municipality building in
Central Java after hearing of Megawati's loss in the two-horse
race with Abdurrahman.
At least one public van, a police patrol car and seven stores
near Surakarta's bus terminal were either destroyed or pelted
with stones.
The mob destroyed and set ablaze the office of the Central
Java governor's assistant, the Surakarta penitentiary, the Graha
Wisata building on Jl. Slamet Riyadi and the Golkar Party branch
office on Jl. Senopati. No fatalities were reported during the
incident.
The group also wrecked the house of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien Rais' mother, Sudalmiah, in the
Ngemplak area of Kampung Kepatihan, dragging all of the
belongings out onto the street and burning them.
All of Amien's family members, including his son Hanafi Rais,
his brother Rozak Rais and sister Asiah Rais were evacuated to
PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital. While Amien's residence on Jl. Pandean
Sari in Yogyakarta was being tightly guarded by at least 70
personnel of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) security task force, Banser,
National Mandate Party (PAN) Youth Front and locals.
Surakarta Military Commander Col. Heri Sudibyo said no arrests
were made following the attack on Amien's mother's house.
In Denpasar, Bali, dozens of PDI Perjuangan supporters burned
PDI Perjuangan's black and red attributes, as well as their
communication posts in various spots.
They painted the streets and walls in red paint with words
such as "We Reject A Blind President" and "Mega or Revolution".
Angry crowds also burned traffic signs, according to Singaraja
Police Chief Lt. Col. Abdulrohman.
Meanwhile, the official residence and the office of the
Buleleng regent were set ablaze by angry mobs.
In Surabaya, Megawati supporters shouted in disappointment as
some 500 of them occupied the Council Building. "We want Mega",
or "Revolution."
Meanwhile, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leaders in East Java, known as
both Abdurrahman's and Megawati's strongholds, held a get
together prayer meeting at the branch office on Jl. Raya Darmo.
"We want peace ... We want reconciliation," said Fuad Anwar,
an NU leader who is also secretary-general of the National
Awakening Party (PKB), East Java chapter.
Similar protests also took place in Medan, North Sumatra.
Hundreds of PDI Perjuangan supporters blocked the city's main
street, Jl. Diponegoro, by sleeping on it. They also burned tires
and shouted support for Megawati. No fatalities were reported in
the protest.
In Semarang, about 500 Megawati supporters occupied the
Council building, expressing their support for the popular party
leader. "Whatever happens ... You (Megawati) are still our
mother," the protesters yelled.
In Makassar, South Sulawesi, about 5,000 students from six
universities expressed their disappointment over Habibie's
failure to run for the presidency. They demanded a "Free
Sulawesi".
South Sulawesi is Habibie's traditional political stronghold.
The six universities were Makassar State University,
Hasanuddin University, Muhammadiyah University, the Allaudin
Islamic Institute, the University of 1945 and the Indonesian
Muslim University.
"We don't want violence instigated by certain party
followers," the students shouted, referring to supporters of PDI
Perjuangan.
Some protesters even pelted stones at the PDI Perjuangan
office branch on Jl. Cendrawasih and burned tires along the
city's main avenue of Urip Soemohardjo and Sultan Allaudin.
Later in the day, upon hearing of Abdurrahman's victory as the
country's fourth president, students cheered and praised the
chairman of country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul
Ulama. "Abdurrahman can channel Muslim people's aspirations. This
is a victory for Islam," shouted the students.
Crowds also occupied Hasanuddin airport and Makassar port
before dispersing due to heavy rain.
In Bandung, thousands of people under the Islamic People's
Action Forum led by KH Abdullah Gymnastiar who previously
thronged the city and staged antiviolence protests, turned their
gathering into a celebration for Abdurrahman.
Enchanted people sang the Islamic ritual Shalawat badriyah
(Islamic verses) song and gathered in mass prayer at Pusat Dakwah
Islam (Islamic Propagation Center).
Meanwhile, thousands of Megawati's supporters ditched their
winning party in disappointment. In the Sukajadi area, people
pooled their money to buy 20 cows, 100 goats and 150 chickens to
be cooked at a feast.
Security forces were kept on alert as they paroled about 50
prone-to-riot spots in Bandung, such as main avenue of Dago, Jl.
Sudirman, Jl. Diponegoro and Jl. Asia Afrika.
Cheers of support for the new Indonesian president also
came from the people of Samarinda, East Kalimantan.
"We are so happy to see Abdurrahman and Megawati stand
together. I wish him to continue to support and honor Megawati,"
Mariyam, a resident, told Antara.
In Banda Aceh, the capital of the disputed Aceh territory,
people also praised Abdurrahman. "We wish him every luck.
Congratulations and hopefully he will be a better leader for this
nation," Aceh governor Syamsuddin Mahmud said.
In Ambon, the capital of Maluku which has been rocked by
continuous riots over the past few months, the warring parties of
Christians, known locally as the "red" group, and Muslims, better
known as the "white" camp, poured into the streets after hearing
the announcement of the country's new leader.
They thronged the streets with pedicabs and motorbikes,
shouting "Long Live Gus Dur!" "Long Live Mega!".
A warm welcome was received in Purwokerto, Central Java, where
together dozens of students and lecturers watched the
presidential election on television.
(edt/23/27/30/39/43/44/48/har/nur/zen)