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)