Megawati visits detained PDI supporters

JAKARTA (JP): Ousted Indonesian Democratic Party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri was greeted with yells, laughter and songs when she visited PDI members detained at the Salemba prison and the Pondok Bambu correctional center for the first time yesterday.

Megawati fought to hold back tears when she saw the prisoners in red T-shirts bearing her pictures were in high spirits at the Pondok Bambu center for women and delinquents in East Jakarta.

After the 45-minute session ended, a crowd of women convicted for various crimes who had been watching from a distance, suddenly rushed towards Megawati and embraced her while prison officials looked on.

Addressing her members, including a 16-year-old boy, Megawati said, "I am proud, that you all keep high spirits and remain self confident although in detention. As PDI members we do not cry."

PDI member Sandra replied that "we have no bitterness... although we have not had the chance to say what really happened... we are grateful for your visit... and we understand how hard it is for you to even go out of your house."

Accompanied by her lawyers and other PDI executives of her camp, Megawati said the main purpose of her visit, also to 110 members at the Salemba prison, was to lend moral support to them as they will soon testify in hearings on the July 27 riots.

Reiterating what lawyer R.O. Tambunan said, she said they were not to be discouraged and emotional if they heard of other witnesses who may testify against them, as they would all get a chance to speak.

"Then you must speak out, and follow your heart..." she said. Indonesia, "belongs to all citizens, including PDI members."

Although legal procedures may be slow and chances of winning slim, "it is the long term struggle that counts... to show that Indonesia is still a state of law," she said

"We will show that PDI members are not destructive, violent people," Megawati said.

She said she was grateful that all detainees were in good health.

Tambunan said the team of lawyers gained spirit from the visits. "As you all seem more spirited than us, we feel ashamed."

A young man said he had "no regrets" about his involvement with Megawati's camp, and hoped she would "continue her struggle."

Reporters were not allowed in the Salemba prison, where Megawati had to meet the detainees in turns because the visitors' hall was too small. (anr)