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)