Megawati receives global award from Indian govt
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)