Megawati loyalists demand Soerjadi to resign

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of supporters of ousted chief of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri demonstrated at the House of Representatives yesterday demanding that her rival, Soerjadi, be held accountable for the July 27 riots.

The protesters also demanded that Soerjadi, who is also deputy House speaker from the PDI faction, resign from his post. Soerjadi ousted Megawati in a government-backed congress in Medan, North Sumatra, in June.

"Long live Mega!" and "Take Soerjadi to court!" were among the slogans chanted by some 300 people, all from Jakarta and clad in the party's colors of black and red.

One of the protesters, Agus Siswantoro, said Soerjadi must be held responsible for the violent riots that took place in Jakarta in July. The riots erupted after the forced takeover of the disputed PDI headquarters from Megawati supporters by troops and Soerjadi supporters.

"He should be held responsible, or Indonesia risks greater political disasters in the year ahead," Agus said. "We don't recognize Soerjadi. His (claim) on the party's leadership was determined by the government, not PDI members."

The demonstrators sought to meet with House Speaker Wahono but failed. They also demanded that the government help find people missing since the riot, which they claimed numbered 35.

Agus said yesterday's demonstration was only one of the many planned.

Sandra Fertasari Putri, another activist, voiced frustration at what she called government inaction against Soerjadi. She said she could not forgive the beatings and court sentences against her colleagues and called on the government to also take responsibility for the riots.

Sandra, 29, was one of the 124 people arrested and recently released from jail following the riots, which, according to the National Commission on Human Rights, claimed five lives and left more than 100 injured and scores of buildings damaged.

Against a background of cheers and chants for Megawati, activist representatives filed a petition with Wahono demanding that the House help bring Soerjadi to court and dismiss him from the legislative body.

They also demanded that Megawati be allowed to resume her party's leadership and contest the general election next year.

Yesterday, dozens of security guards kept a watchful eye on the demonstrators, who left the premises peacefully in a procession of cars adorned with banners and headed toward the National Police headquarters. (01)