Government will not tolerate more PDI rallies

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)