Governor pleased riot rumors prove groundless

Governor pleased riot rumors prove groundless

JAKARTA (JP): The city breathed easy on Friday evening, after
rumors of riots accompanying the day's campaigning proved
groundless.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso expressed relief at day's end: "I
ought to be happy... it ran smoothly, even though the street
rallies caused traffic jams. I think (street rallies) can become
a means of entertainment for people.

"Let's hope the city will remain safe until the final day of
campaigning on June 4."

Friday's campaign in Jakarta was again dominated by the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). Tens of
thousands of party supporters flooded the streets, turning the
city "totally red", as Sutiyoso put it.

Unlike previous days of campaigning, the presence of security
personnel was marked. Security personnel were concentrated around
Golkar headquarters in Central Jakarta. However, no black-
uniformed Golkar security volunteers were to be seen. They were
last seen on Monday, carrying an assortment of weapons, after
anti-Golkar activists pelted the office with stones.

Kompas daily reported on Friday that Golkar had recruited
members of a master swordsmanship association from Banten, West
Java, as its security force. The masters usually wore black
outfits.

Sutiyoso asked Golkar party leaders to withdraw the recruits.

"They should not have done it. We should trust security
officers to guard the city. Moreover, the city is so far safe and
doesn't need such people."

Head of the Jakarta Provincial Elections Committee, Djafar
Badjeber, also said the number of party security forces, together
with Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel were enough to maintain
safety in the city.

Audi O.J. Tambunan of PDI Perjuangan said the rumors were
spread by people who wished to tarnish the party's image.

"Our supporters will not be easily provoked into causing
disturbances," Audi told at least 3,000 supporters at Blok S
soccer field in South Jakarta.

Dozens of PDI Perjuangan security volunteers patrolled the
Blok M area in South Jakarta, in which the rumored rioting was
said to take place. The black-uniformed volunteers were also seen
at several intersections in South Jakarta.

In a speech at the Blok soccer field, PDI Perjuangan deputy
chairman Kwik Kian Gie outlined steps the party would take in its
first 100 days in office if the party won the election and led
the country.

The measures included consultations with leaders of Aceh,
Irian Jaya and East Timor, limiting the presidential term of
office to two terms only and continued cooperation with
international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund, the
World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

"We would install ministers and officials who are free from
corrupt, collusive and nepotistic practices," he told supporters
at the gathering, which was also attended by party treasurer
Laksamana Sukardi and former prisoner and film star Johny Indo,
alias Umar Billah.

Despite the impressive appearance of the rallies, observers
said less supporters joined in the campaigning than in campaign
activities held last Sunday.

The Democratic People's Party (PRD) also campaigned on Friday.
The head of the party's central committee, Faisol Riza, promised
the party would be consistent in its fight for a new, democratic
Indonesia.

"We do not have money, we do not have fancy cars. So we walk
with people," Faisol said during their rally on Jl. Sudirman in
South Jakarta.

PRD supporters showered flowers and confetti from the Semanggi
cloverleaf near Atmajaya Catholic University onto the
thoroughfare below.

Some of the supporters, mostly students, prayed for the
victims of last year's Black Friday incident in which 14 lives
were lost after students and military forces clashed in the
Semanggi area.

The group, consisting of about 200 supporters, then marched to
the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, waving banners before meeting
up with supporters of PDI Perjuangan who had already packed the
place.

Supporters of the Indonesian People's Party (Pari) staged what
they called an "innovative campaign", by bringing some 1,000
people, mostly teenagers, to perform their Friday prayer on Jl.
Thamrin, in front of the Sarinah Department Store. The action
caused heavy traffic congestion in the area.

Party chairman Agus Miftach denied suggestions he was
manipulating religion for campaign purposes. (ind/edt/jun)