Megawati's support of Sutiyoso irks public

Megawati's support of Sutiyoso irks public

Victims of the July 27, 1996 attack on the Indonesian Democratic
Party's headquarters plan to commemorate the tragedy at the site
of the incident. They will also voice their outrage at the
endorsement of Sutiyoso as gubernatorial candidate by President
Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also chairwoman of the Indonesian
Democratic of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Jamal, 38, a social worker who has strived to empower street
children for almost eight years. He lives in Tebet, South
Jakarta.

I don't think the government really attempted to resolve the
July 27, 1996 incident despite the somewhat heavy-handed action.
Worse still, it fails to investigate problems based on prevailing
laws.

The incident should be investigated immediately regardless of
how much embarrassment some of the victims' actions may have
caused. They beg for donations from legislators to help victims.
It has in fact weakened the spirit of other PDI Perjuangan
supporters to fight to resolve the problem.

I believe that Megawati wants to do it, and if she does not
seriously and quickly see that the law is upheld, her supporters
will abandon her and the party.

Ahmadi, 23, a fruit vendor on Jl. Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta,
who lives in the Petojo area. He is a supporter of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

I don't understand why the 27 July incident hasn't been
resolved. The masterminds of the attack remain free, while the
victims were given sentences. It's ridiculous.

What I don't understand is why the government hasn't demanded
that the case go to court. Is it because the masterminds are
generals?

Soeharto and Habibie might be indifferent to the case because
they are connected to the Golkar Party, but why would President
Megawati be reluctant to probe the case? She supposedly supports
her followers.

I don't know about politics, but I will reconsider my decision
to vote for PDI Perjuangan in the upcoming elections. I might not
vote at all.

Andi Rahmah, 30 is an environmentalist with a non-governmental
organization in Jakarta. She lives in Pasar Minggu, South
Jakarta.

People are saying that Sutiyoso was involved in the July 27
incident. The problem is that the case never went to court, but
there must be strong evidence of his involvement.

Therefore, I think Megawati made a big mistake supporting the
man who is considered an enemy of her supporters. She should
rethink her decision if wants them to continue supporting her.

I was studying in Yogyakarta at the time of the incident, but
a friend of mine at the site told me the attackers were very
cruel. So it comes as no surprise that many people are angry
about Megawati's decision.

Nikodemus Martoredjo, 30, 30, is an employee of a private firm
in Salemba, Central Jakarta. He resides in Kwitang, Central
Jakarta.

I'm very concerned about the slow pace of legal steps taken to
uncover the bloody incident. Many of the suspects in the incident
are still at large and feign innocence. The main problem is that
the supremacy of law does not prevail here.

President Megawati also appears powerless to uphold the law.
Her failure to help unravel the case may backfire on her
popularity and tarnish her image. Everybody knows the incident
was politically engineered.