Interpreting bloodied fingerprint

Interpreting bloodied fingerprint

From Bali Post

There has been a rather unsympathetic response recently to the
fact that members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) in Surabaya made thumb prints with their own
blood. It is always all right to respond to this phenomenon as we
are now in the run-up to the 1999 General Session of the People's
Consultative Assembly, which is scheduled to elect Indonesia's
fourth president in November.

In this context, allow me also to interpret this phenomenon,
especially in its inseparable position from present
circumstances. Unless this phenomenon is linked with the
prevailing condition, it may imply a negative connotation of
violence. This phenomenon must be seen in the light of the
victory scored by PDI Perjuangan in the recent general election
and in the context of efforts to block the nomination of Megawati
Soekarnoputri as a presidential candidate. Efforts have been
clearly made to reject this nomination on sectarian and divisive
grounds and these efforts have won the support of Habibie's camp.

In fact, efforts to block the emergence of Megawati's forces
have been in effect since the New Order administration, with its
culmination on May 20, 1998. If a present event is linked with
this background and is seen in the light of repression during 32
years of New Order administration, the bitterness of being
repressed for such a long time is really unimaginable. That's why
so much pent-up emotion has found its channel with the victory of
Megawati's party in the polls, even though, of course, quite a
few are displeased with this victory.

It is clear, then, that members of PDI Perjuangan have made
their thumb print with their own blood in anticipation of the
emergence of any unconstitutional force, which must be countered
with blood in defense of the leader. This blood pledge is just a
reaction and not an action that has appeared out of the intrinsic
elements of PDI Perjuangan.

If the elections were conducted constitutionally, there would
be no such thing as making a thumb print with one's own blood.
Megawati, with her charisma, will be able to keep her followers
under control within the constitutional corridor and prevent them
from resorting to violence.

I GUSTI NGURAH BAGUS

Denpasar, Bali