Megawati receives global award from Indian govt

JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri, the chairwoman of a camp of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) not recognized by the government, received the Global Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Promotion of International Understanding on Saturday in Bombay, India.

The award, sponsored by Priyadarshni Academy, was presented by India Minister of Home Affairs L.K. Advani.

In a short speech, Megawati said international understanding could not be achieved "as long as human rights violations and backwardness continued".

Reuters reported that before the ceremony, Megawati warned of violence if the government continued to try to keep her out of the country's upcoming elections.

"I have supporters, more than 20 million, so you can imagine (what could happen) if the government continues to be stubborn and does not give us a chance in the general election," she was quoted as saying.

Kompas reported that economist Laksamana Sukardi, a member of Megawati's executive board, was included in the popular politician's entourage. Advani said Megawati's willingness to receive the award was an honor for India.

Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais praised the fact that several retired military officers had joined Megawati's PDI camp.

Speaking in his hometown on Sunday during the launching of the party's new Yogyakarta branch, Amien argued that retired generals were practically civilians and "should no longer carry around the Armed Forces (ABRI) name".

They also "should no longer act like they're still an ABRI member," Amien said.

Four retired officers enlisted in Megawati's organization on Friday, including Maj. Gen. (ret) Theo Syafei, a former Udayana regional military chief and briefly a legislator in the ABRI faction of the House of Representatives, and Maj. Gen. (ret) Raja Kami Sembiring Meliala, another former legislator.

PDI also took on three Golkar defectors and several prominent businessmen.

Amien, the former head of the Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, said a number of retired generals had registered with his party, including Maj. Gen. (ret) Soewaro, a former assistant for ABRI's chief of social political affairs, and Maj. Gen. (ret) Ketut Danawir.

Some retired generals have become members of PAN's executive board in a number of regions, Amien said. PAN is seen by many analysts to be one of a few strong contenders for the next general election slated for May.

PAN's Yogyakarta branch includes two retired officers, Col. (ret) Ruslan Nurada and Col. (ret) Basmal Hadikusumo.

On Saturday, Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno, the chairman of the Armed Forces Veterans Association (Pepabri), announced that spouses and children of ABRI members would no longer be obliged to vote for Golkar, freeing them to choose any political party in future elections.

In Denpasar, Bali, the chief military commander there, Maj. Gen. Adam R. Damiri, said Sunday he expected Megawati's PDI organizational committee for an upcoming party congress next month on the island to be responsible for security.

The deputy secretary of Megawati's PDI camp, I. Ketut Sarwa Kabinawa, said on Saturday that the congress would be held from Oct. 8 to Oct. 10 at a hotel in Sanur, Antara reported.

"We hope the PDI congress here will not be like the one in Palu (Central Sulawesi)," Adam said, referring to a government- recognized PDI congress during which 17 people, including five police officers, were injured.

The congress elected Budi Hardjono to replace Soerjadi as chairman. Megawati supporters clashed with security forces and Soerjadi backers as the congress opened on Aug. 25, forcing the organizers to cut the gathering short two days before its scheduled Aug. 29 closing. (swa/anr)