'Megawati does not care about July 27 tragedy"

'Megawati does not care about July 27 tragedy"

Five people were killed, 23 went missing and 149 were injured
following the attack on the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
headquarters here on July 27, 1996. The legal process to seek
justice for the victims was never followed through. Now, Megawati
Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan, has nominated
Governor Sutiyoso for another term as governor despite the fact
that he was named a suspect in the tragedy. Several people share
their disappointment with The Jakarta Post.

Agus R., 33, is a bakso (meat ball soup) seller in Bekasi. He
lives with his wife and two children.

I think the July 27 incident should be seriously investigated
by the government. It was an affront to the people's feelings of
justice.

If it is investigated, Indonesia's current image of poor law
enforcement may improve.

It seems that Megawati is not bothered by the problem despite
the fact that it has seriously disenchanted PDI Perjuangan
followers.

I'm afraid that the absence of the will to probe the case will
backfire on the party and the people in general.
Worse still, PDI Perjuangan is still unstable and therefore prone
to internal rifts.

Umar, 25, is a supporter of PDI Perjuangan from Srengseng
subdistrict in West Jakarta. He often visits the City Council
building on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta.

It is very disappointing that Megawati Soekarnoputri has
nominated Sutiyoso as the party candidate. It is difficult to
understand why she nominated the man who should have been held
responsible for an incident which caused suffering to her
supporters.

I still want to be a supporter of the party, therefore I hope
that Megawati will change her decision on Sutiyoso.

There are many better people who could lead the capital.

If Megawati wants her supporters in Jakarta to stay in the
party, she should listen to them, otherwise, they will leave.

Andi, 21, lives in Ciracas, East Jakarta. He and his friends
from the same subdistrict also often gather at the City Council
building.

Please tell Ibu Mega that we are disappointed. Sutiyoso does
not deserve to become the PDI Perjuangan gubernatorial candidate.
Those at the grassroots question Megawati's decision.

Many of them want to return their membership cards, so it will
be difficult for the party to face the next general election.

Joko Utomo, 30, is an executive of a milk company in Ciracas,
East Jakarta. He resides in Cijantung, East Jakarta.

It's really ironic to see the government seemingly powerless
to prevent anarchy from spreading in the capital. The attack has
left open wounds in the hearts of many Jakartans.

It had been six years now but the legal proceedings to reveal
the real attackers have apparently hit a snag. The main problem
is that President Megawati Soekarnoputri herself doesn't have the
political will to resolve the case.