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)