Golkar, PDI Perjuangan make peace in Purbalingga
Golkar, PDI Perjuangan make peace in Purbalingga
PURBALINGGA, Central Java (JP): Golkar Party and the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) have
made peace following an attack on Golkar supporters.
The April 9 incident involving harassment of women, stone
throwing and an attack on party chairman Akbar Tandjung's car has
been followed by repeated calls that Golkar postpone scheduled
events in Central Java.
Women's groups also protested the incident in which supporters
of both sexes were ordered to remove their party shirts by people
dressed in PDI Perjuangan clothing. Others took them off due to
fear of reprisals.
On Tuesday, peace was made following a visit by six members of
the General Elections Commission.
PDI Perjuangan's Purbalingga chairman Sofyan Raharjo embraced
the local chairman of Golkar, Sutarto Rahmat, at the regency
hall. "We consider the matter settled," Sutarto said.
Sofyan said the attack was "unexpected". PDI officials have
said there was no proof the attackers were from their party, but
declared they would punish any party members who were involved.
Commission member Nursirwan Nur Datuk, who represents the
National United Solidarity Party (Suni), said it would be
advisable for Akbar to call off plans to meet party cadres in
regions to avoid further unrest.
Considering that many party functions ahead of the campaign's
official start have already caused unrest, the commission has
appealed to all parties to cancel functions.
Akbar has countered that parties cannot be told not to meet
their cadres. He is slated to meet Golkar cadres in Surakarta on
April 18.
"Such an action would also insult to the ruling of the General
Elections Commission" that parties cannot recruit officials
including ministers in campaigning, Nursirwan said.
Akbar has said Golkar will recruit a number of ministers for
the campaign, scheduled for May 19 to June 4.
Nursirwan added: "Apart from Akbar, I think all ministers who
are political party executives should not campaign."
The government has said it will issue a ruling regarding
ministers in campaigning before the campaign starts.
In Yogyakarta, Diponegoro Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit
Waluyo regretted Akbar's insistence on visiting Surakarta.
"I request that residents' wishes that Pak Akbar should not
come be considered," he said. "I ask him to look at the facts."
He acknowledged security personnel did not anticipate the
incident in Purbalingga, but a unrest was more likely to occur in
Surakarta.
Bibit also requested residents to refrain from destructive
action if the Golkar function went as planned and that other
political parties help secure the city.
He further told a discussion with political parties that
unsettled land disputes were a source of potential unrest in
Central Java. "But we are trying to involve related parties in
dialog."
Surakarta Golkar chairman Yusuf Hidayat said about 4,200
security personnel, including those of the Golkar-affiliated
youth, would help secure the event.
Central Java's Golkar secretary Soetoyo Abadi separately
suggested that the Purbalingga incident was instigated by a
former Golkar executive, but the provincial chairman of PDI
Perjuangan, Soeratal, dismissed the allegation. "He is not that
kind of man," he said.
From Surabaya, Antara reported that the East Java Police and
about 30 political parties in the province have agreed to set up
integrated security posts to help secure party functions.
The post would include political parties' security personnel.
East Java Police chief Maj. Gen. M. Dayat said parties had
also set up a Political Party Communication Forum to work
together on other matters ahead of the polls. (har/45/44)