Megawati visits detained PDI supporters

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)