Megawati's loyalists file Rp 1.1 billion lawsuit
Megawati's loyalists file Rp 1.1 billion lawsuit
SURABAYA (JP): Local leaders of the Indonesian Democratic
Party (PDI) under the government-backed Soerjadi are facing a Rp
1.1 billion (US$470,000) law suit filed by their foes Monday.
The plaintiffs are four loyalists of Megawati Soekarnoputri,
the ousted PDI chief, and the accused are seven Soerjadi
supporters.
Megawati loyalists have accused their political enemies of
attending a rebel congress in June in Medan, North Sumatra, where
Soerjadi ousted Megawati with the government's support.
Represented by well-known lawyer Trimoelja D. Soerjadi, they
filed the suit with the district court Monday accompanied by
hundreds of Megawati loyalists.
"We will all see whether justice and truth in our country are
given due respect," Trimoelja said amid the cheers of hundreds of
supporters who sang and shouted "Long live Mega."
Megawati's supporters claim the accused not only breached
party statutes by attending the congress but also betrayed their
loyalty to the PDI under Megawati, who was democratically elected
in 1993.
Megawati maintains her claim that she is the legitimate PDI
boss.
Trimoelja said his clients are claiming damages for the loss
of funds the Megawati camp had spent for general election
campaigning and for the division within the minority party.
"Their participation has ruined the party's credibility in the
eyes of the public and its sympathizers," he said.
He said that a payout was not the ultimate goal of the law
suit. The main purpose is to show the public whether the law is
upheld in courts of justice.
The suit is part of Megawati's nationwide legal battle against
those who deposed her at the rebel congress.
Soerjadi, one of the House Speakers' deputies, has met
increasing rejection from PDI members. Members loyal to Megawati
reportedly pelted him with rotten eggs during his recent visits
to Central Java towns.
In Jakarta, about 25 people staged a protest at the police
headquarters yesterday to demand that Soerjadi and his supporters
be held responsible for their role in the July 27 brutal takeover
of PDI headquarters.
They said the authorities have taken partial action by
prosecuting Megawati's supporters who defended the party office.
"Megawati's supporters have been jailed and more will be
tried. But no action has been taken against Soerjadi's supporters
although everyone knows they were the aggressors," they said.
The rare demonstration at police headquarters, organized by
the Youth and Student Forum for Democracy and Team for the
Support of Megawati, was held in conjunction with International
Human Rights Day.
The protesters were met by Col. Iswanto, secretary to the
national police spokesman. (25/08/jun/pan)