Megawati's vote directives hailed

Megawati's vote directives hailed

JAKARTA (JP): The government welcomed yesterday a statement by
ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati
Soekarnoputri that she and her supporters will not take part in
the election campaign.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security
Soesilo Soedarman said after a ministerial meeting on security
affairs that the government "has no prejudice about Megawati's
statement", issued Wednesday.

"We must take a positive way of thinking, although she
(Megawati) may have a hidden interest with her statement,"
Soesilo said. He did not elaborate.

Minister of Defense Edi Sudrajat, who attended the meeting,
praised Megawati for helping the government set up "a conducive
climate for the nation's preparations for the election".

"Political figures are obliged to make statements which soothe
people's temper," Edi said.

Megawati asked her supporters in a directive obtained by The
Jakarta Post Wednesday not to take part in the election campaign
on behalf of the PDI, but work together to make the election
democratic and constitutional.

She said the PDI under her leadership is keen to avoid
violence caused by provocation by certain people, which could in
turn be used to discredit PDI members and supporters.

The nationwide election campaign kicks off Sunday and will
wind up on May 23. The PDI, Golkar and the United Development
Party (PPP) will contest the May 29 election.

Security authorities have expressed concern over potential
disturbances incited by Megawati supporters during the election
campaign, following a massive rally they staged at the House of
Representatives two weeks ago.

Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan
Hamid has guaranteed protection of Soerjadi's campaigns. But
Soesilo said the government would not render exclusive security
measures for any political party.

Megawati, the eldest daughter of Indonesia's founding
president the late Sukarno, reiterated her legitimacy to stand in
the election and labeled the government-backed PDI under Soerjadi
illegal and unconstitutional.

Soerjadi was reinstated as the PDI chairman in place of
Megawati after a breakaway congress in Medan, North Sumatra last
year.

The government turned down Megawati's list of legislature
candidates in September and, instead, accepted that of Soerjadi
which excluded Megawati and her loyalists.

Soerjadi

Soerjadi played down Megawati's directive, saying his
leadership does not care about what she and her supporters would
do in days ahead of the election.

"I think it's not necessary for us to take their statement
seriously, because we have never thought of them as having the
right to stand in the election," Soerjadi said.

"It's all up to them whether they will exercise their rights
to vote or not. They can even vote for the PPP or Golkar, and are
also welcome to pledge allegiance to the PDI," he added.

Soerjadi denied he was seeking reconciliation with Megawati
and her loyalists in order to boost the party's achievement in
this year's election.

"We never rely on individuals but the party members as an
organization in our efforts to get as many votes as possible,"
Soerjadi said.

He admitted the conflict that split the party was a headache.
"But the problems we are facing now are less difficult than those
in the 1987 election," he said.

Soerjadi made his election debut as the PDI chairman 10 years
ago, leading the party to win 40 seats at the House of
Representatives, 16 seats up from the 1982 election.

However, his efforts to mobilize support in various regions
have often been marked with opposition from Megawati's
supporters. (imn/amd)

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