Megawati-Susilo stoke rivalry at Jakarta rallies
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the founder of the newly established Democratic Party, increased his attempt to challenge his former boss, President Megawati Soekarnoputri, when campaigning for his party in Jakarta on Sunday amid clear indications that Megawati's popularity has declined sharply compared to five years ago.
Susilo, however, only criticized the government's shortcomings, despite the fact that he had been a part of it since 1999 until recently. Meanwhile, Megawati was busy defending her achievements. And like five years ago, she attempted to portray herself as the victim of a political conspiracy by her foes.
A crowd of only about 10,000 attended the general's rally, much smaller than the 100,000 Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) supporters who are estimated to have attended Megawati's rally.
No clashes were reported, however, when their supporters met on the streets. They even waved their hands at each other.
The former coordinating minister for political and security affairs showed his supporters during the rally in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, that he could sing all the words of a dangdut version of local rock group Jamrud's ditty, Pelangi di Matamu (Rainbow in Your Eyes).
Meanwhile, the President did a little dance when the band backing up local group Dewa struck up during her rally at the Bung Karno Stadium.
Susilo, however, failed to convincingly prove that he was better than Megawati. In this, he is not much different to other Megawati's other political rivals, who are quick to criticize her but fail to offer alternative policies.
"After five years of a transition period, our country has yet to see any improvements. A lot of people wishes have been betrayed by the current government ... We are going to run a clean political show to resolve all the problems," said Susilo, who resigned from Megawati's Cabinet on March 11.
Susilo has been fully involved in formulating the government's policies since his appointment by then president Abdurrahman Wahid in 1999 as minister of mines and energy. Not long before Abdurrahman's downfall in July 2001, he was appointed as coordinating minister for political and security affairs. He was fired shortly before Abdurrahman's dismissal.
Megawati appointed him to the same position. He decided recently to retire from the Cabinet to challenge her in the July 5 presidential election.
"We gather here to seek a change leading to a better Indonesia," said Susilo during the rally.
Meanwhile, in a feisty speech Megawati said that despite all the negative predictions about her party, she was certain that the PDI-P is still loved by its supporters and would win the April 5 legislative election.
"They said that I am just a housewife. Well, this housewife is still able to draw a crowd like this. I hope all mothers will vote for me," she said to the cheering crowd.
The Jakarta Post reported five years ago that in its final rally in Jakarta the PDI-P was able to attract nearly one million supporters in Jakarta. However, Sunday's attendance was much smaller.
Another party contesting the election, the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI), also held outdoor rallies in the capital, but only 1,000 supporters showed up, who quickly drifted away from the location due to stifling heat. Earlier in the day, the party also held a rally in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid was present at the rally.
In Yogyakarta, supporters of the Democratic Party and the PKPI both paraded around the city in convoys of vehicles. The colorful convoys attracted a great deal of attention from the city's residents.
Meanwhile, Vice President Hamzah Haz, the chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), addressed thousands of supporters in Bengkulu, Sumatra. He indicated that he was quite satisfied with his current position as vice president.