Government will not tolerate more PDI rallies
JAKARTA (JP): The authorities said yesterday they could tolerate a massive demonstration by Megawati Soekarnoputri loyalists Tuesday but promised "harsh action" if they staged another.
Government and military officials said Tuesday's demonstration outside the House of Representatives by thousands of Megawati supporters was still "within constitutional tolerance".
Armed Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Slamet Supriyadi said in Ujungpandang yesterday that the authorities would not hesitate to take stern action if Megawati loyalists went back onto the streets.
"They should not have come in such a large number," he said.
The supporters of Megawati, the dethroned leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), demanded representation in next month's general election.
Megawati lost the leadership to Soerjadi in a government- backed party congress in Medan last year and has been barred from running in next month's election.
No one was detained in the six hour demonstration that triggered massive traffic jams on the capital's main streets.
According to observers, Megawati hoped to show that she retains strong popular support by the protest.
There have been unconfirmed reports that Megawati loyalists plan another huge demonstration in the capital next week before the election campaign kicks off.
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. said that Tuesday's rally should be the "last" of its kind that may hamper preparatory activities for the election.
"There shouldn't be any rally ahead of the general election," he said.
Soerjadi defended the House's refusal to let the demonstrators into the House compound, saying that nobody could guarantee they would not cause disturbances.
"They came to the right institution, but we regret the way they expressed their demands," he said.
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman said political activities involving a large number of people are not permissible.
He said political activities are only allowed one week before election campaigning begins on April 27, and a week after the May 29 general election.
Yogie agreed and reiterated the mechanism that should be met when filing complaints.
"Supporters of the political contestants should follow the lawful procedures of filing complaints," he said. "It was not necessary for them to go on the thousands to the House of Representatives.
"The body recognizes only representatives (so the supporters should file) their complaint through a representation," he said.
Intelligence
Chairman of the State Intelligence Coordinating Body Lt. Gen. (ret) Moetojib also criticized PDI the large number of supporters protesting at the House.
"They should have considered the impact of their massive rallies on national unity and security," he said, adding that all elements in society should help the authorities maintain security and order.
Supriyadi agreed, saying PDI activists should not have protested to the House in such a large number.
He said the supporters were "irrational" and had ignored the laws. He did not rule out the possibility that the demonstration was organized by certain groups seeking to foil the general election.
Preparations
Yogie said the demonstration did not have any adverse influence on the country's preparations for the election.
"It's natural for people to have different opinions over a state activity, such as the general election," he said.
Yogie said any demand for Megawati's group to be represented in the 1997 to 2002 lineup of the House should be submitted to the government-recognized PDI central board.
"It's an internal problem. They should file the protest to Soerjadi," he said.
Soerjadi was elected in a government-backed PDI congress, held in the North Sumatra capital of Medan last June. He replaced Megawati, who took the party's crown from Soerjadi by winning the majority of popular votes in an extraordinary congress in December 1993.
The PDI, Golkar and the United Development Party (PPP) will participate in the general election, vying for 425 of the overall 500 seats in the House. The remaining 75 seats will be allocated to the Armed Forces, whose members do not vote. (imn/amd/30)