Megawati to defy anniversary ban
JAKARTA (JP): A defiant Megawati Soekarnoputri pledged yesterday to defy a police ban and continue with a planned second anniversary commemoration of the bloody attack on her faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).
She condemned the ban as proof of the disparity between regulations and the reality of their implementation.
"We are still trying to get the (police) permission (for the commemoration) up until today. But, security officials may not issue any," she told a seminar on rape victims.
"This is the real situation of our country's lamentable system."
Citing the police's operational guidelines for issuance of permits for public gatherings, she insisted the anniversary committee did not actually need to obtain the police permit.
The organizer had written to the police to "notify" them about the plan for the event, marking the forcible takeover of PDI headquarters in Jakarta on July 27, 1996, and the rioting which ensued. Five people died and 23 others are still classified as missing.
It is expected to draw thousands of Megawati's supporters.
The 1995 police operational guidelines stipulate that any meeting or congress, organized by individuals, groups or political parties, need no police permit. The organizers are only requested to inform the police about the agenda.
Megawati was ousted as PDI chairman and replaced by Soerjadi in a government-backed congress in June 1996.
Roy B.B. Janis, a Megawati loyalist, also said the planned commemoration would go ahead despite the police's rejection.
National Police chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi said Tuesday he would not allow Megawati's supporters to hold the meeting on the grounds her faction was not recognized by the government.
City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the Jakarta Police had officially turned down the "request" from the Megawati-led PDI early this month.
"They submitted the 'request' dated June 30, and we replied three days later we could not grant the permit."
Aritonang said the request was sent by Megawati's supporters, calling themselves "PDI Perjuangan", and signed by coordinator Jacob Nuwa Wea.
"They wanted to hold the commemoration at Senayan sports complex, Central Jakarta. As stated in operational guidelines, police have to give an answer within three days to grant or deny permission.
"And city police decided to reject it. Why? Because we are sticking to the legal principle, namely that the government only recognizes the PDI led by Soerjadi, not Megawati," he told The Jakarta Post.
"You have to understand one thing here. Such an event will attract a mass movement. In this current situation, we think that it would be wise not to stage such a huge gathering."
Judging from past experiences, he said, the formation of a huge crowd would inevitably lead to disturbances.
"We have found indications that certain parties would take advantage of the situation."
Asked about police reaction if the faction persisted in its plan, Aritonang said: "Let's not jump to any conclusion here ... but if they go on with the plan, they have to be ready for all the consequences."
City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman stood firm on the ban when questioned Monday.
"We have rejected their request, therefore they must obtain a permit from the National Police. If they fail to get one, they are not supposed to go on with their plan." (imn/edt)