Golkar under attack, warns of reprisals

SURABAYA (JP): Golkar supporters were harassed for the second time in two days as they attempted to attend a political rally on Sunday, and the ruling party's chairman Akbar Tandjung warned it would not remain passive if the attacks continued.

Dozens of trucks carrying Golkar supporters from Probolinggo were stopped at the Waru toll road gate by supporters wearing red-colored clothing of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Akbar, visibly upset by the incident, said at the rally at the 10 November Stadium that Golkar had asked the local security authorities to ensure safe passage for the supporters.

"They could not do much. They even told our supporters to go home," said Akbar, who is also the minister/state secretary.

The attacks showed that some political parties were not ready for democracy, he said.

He told about 80,000 supporters who made it to the stadium that Golkar would not retaliate and would pursue legal channels over the harassment.

"It's not that we're afraid. We love peace. Golkar loves unity. But if this continues, we shall rise. We shall rise against evil forces," Akbar said.

On Friday, Golkar supporters were pelted, again by people wearing PDI Perjuangan attributes, as they tried to attend the party's rally in the Central Java town of Purbalingga.

Akbar recalled the incident in his speech on Sunday.

"Golkar will not stand for this inhumane treatment. In Purbalingga, the car I was in was pelted. My adjutant was injured. The women were told to remove their (Golkar) shirts."

PDI Perjuangan officials have denied their supporters were responsible for the attacks on Golkar members.

Witnesses said there were brief skirmishes between Golkar supporters and their assailants at the end of the Waru toll road, but police were quick to quell the clashes.

There were no reports of injury.

The rest of Surabaya was tightly guarded by police, soldiers, members of the Kamra militia and Golkar's own security forces.

Many Golkar supporters shied away from wearing the party's yellow T-shirts, covering them behind a jacket or putting them in bags to be donned later.

Some of those who attended from out of town said they were paid between Rp 10,000 and Rp 25,000 to take part.

Akbar spent the long Easter weekend on the campaign trail for "political education" for Golkar. His entourage included fellow members of the Cabinet such as Theo Sambuaga and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Hayono Suyono, and chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council A.A. Baramuli. Prominent businessman Fadel Muhammad also participated.

It was not immediately clear whether the involvement of the ministers breached the newly announced electoral code of conduct.

The General Elections Commission ruled last week that parties cannot enlist the services of current Cabinet ministers in their election campaign. The Supreme Court, at the request of President B.J. Habibie, ruled, however, that the final say on the matter lay with the President. The election commission ignored the Supreme Court ruling and said its rule prevailed. (nur/emb)