Megawati knew of attack plan

JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), gave her first testimony at her supporters' trial yesterday, saying she knew of the planned forced takeover of the party headquarters by Soerjadi loyalists two days before July 27.

Wearing a white and red dress, Megawati, the eldest daughter of the late president Sukarno, told the Central Jakarta District Court that two days before the riot, an "important person," whose identity she would not reveal, had called her, warning that a rival group wanted to take over the PDI headquarters by force from her loyalists.

She said the caller told her the assault would be carried out by followers of Soerjadi, the man who overthrew her in a government-backed congress in June.

Megawati said she asked the caller, "Why by a violent way, isn't there a better way?"

She said she warned the caller that if this happened it could destabilize the nation. "PDI is a lawful political party," she repeatedly told the caller.

Soerjadi supporters attacked the headquarters on July 27, leaving five people dead, 23 missing and 149 injured, according to the National Commission on Human Rights.

Several buildings nearby were burned down by angry mobs. The violent takeover was met by strong reactions at home and abroad.

One-hundred-and-twenty-four Megawati supporters were tried simultaneously in six separate sessions at the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday. They were indicted for their involvement in the riot and for disobeying a police order to vacate the headquarters.

Megawati told the court yesterday she had not received an official request to vacate the party headquarters.

The court room was packed by visitors, including local and foreign journalists.

In response to a judge's question whether she had received a request to vacate the premises from the new PDI leader, Megawati said: "What do you mean by the new PDI leader?"

"The one the newspapers always mention today," answered the judge.

Megawati said she had no idea about this.

According to her, the riot occurred when she was at home, on Jl. Kebagusan, South Jakarta. At around 7:00 a.m. on July 27, Megawati's servant told her the PDI headquarters was being attacked.

Megawati said she tried to call the headquarters but the lines were busy. She also unsuccessfully tried to contact members of the party's executive board.

She said that half an hour later she received a call from one of her supporters who was defending the headquarters, confirming the attack but begging her not to go there.

"I then ordered him to tell other party activists to restrain from any acts of violence," she said.

Megawati said that after a while the Central Jakarta police chief, Lt. Col. Abubakar Nataprawira, who was at the riot, called and asked her to agree that the status of the building was "status quo".

Abubakar said status quo meant that her supporters must vacate the building while those who wanted to occupy it should remain outside, according to Megawati.

Megawati said Abubakar then handed the telephone to one of her supporters, and she told the person that status quo meant "those defending the building should remain inside."

At one of the six court hearings yesterday, 12 defendants insisted on saying they did not hear the police order to vacate the headquarters and that this was contrary to the indictment. (08)