PAN, PBB, PK campaigns go smoothly

JAKARTA (JP): The campaigning of the three major parties here on Saturday remained peaceful and orderly, despite street rallies involving thousands of people.

The supporters of the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Justice Party (PK) and the Crescent Star Party (PBB), in countless buses, cars, motorcycles and vans, toured the capital to and from their respective campaign sites.

Occasionally different groups met at intersections or on the streets, where they gave each other friendly greetings. This was seen on Jl. Jend. Soeprapto in Central Jakarta and Jl. A. Yani in East Jakarta among other places.

Traffic congestion occurred in some of the streets during the rallies, which were mostly dominated by PAN supporters clad in white T-shirts emblazoned with the party logo of a blue sun.

The PAN supporters received warm greetings from supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) they encountered on Jl. Cikini Raya in Central Jakarta.

Some 7,000 supporters of the Justice Party started their orderly gathering in Central Jakarta at 9 a.m., avidly listening to speeches by party leaders, including PK president Nur Mahmudi Ismail.

Only a few PK supporters were seen roaming the capital's streets, as party supporters have promised to abide by the ban on street rallies. Most of the white-clad party supporters -- most of the women wore Islamic headscarves -- were concentrated at campaigning sites.

At about the same time, more than 10,000 PAN supporters packed a field in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, staying until the program was completed despite the absence of chairman Amien Rais.

One of the speakers, deputy chairman A.M. Fatwa, promised the supporters that the 1984 Tanjung Priok shooting case would be reopened if the party was elected to government.

"The New Order regime and the current administration has tried to cover up the tragedy," said Fatwa, who was once jailed by Soeharto's regime in relation to the case.

He also promised to bring former president Soeharto to court for his 32 years of alleged abuses of power.

Another promise that Fatwa made was that the party would fight for a native to Jakarta, or Betawi, to become the capital's governor if it won the elections in the city.

Dancing and waving the party's flags, PAN supporters were entertained by popular band Bragi, which performed several hits from their albums.

About 4,000 PAN supporters attended another campaign gathering at Srengseng soccer field in West Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), campaigned in Cakung, East Jakarta, where he expressed his disdain of the recently formed alliances among some parties. He said his party did not have any intention to ally itself with other parties. Instead, it will become an opposition group if it fails to win the elections, he said as quoted by Antara.

"A coalition should be clear. If a party forms a coalition with different parties in different times, we call it hypocrisy," Yusril told thousands of PBB cadres and supporters.

Other, smaller parties also held their campaign activities on Saturday. On Jl. Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta, chairman of PNI- Front Marhaenis Party Probosutedjo kicked off the convoy of some 300 cars full of party supporters.

The same convoy was held by supporters of the Democratic Islam Party, while the Republic Party conducted a campaign at Kemanggisan soccer field which was attended by at least 700 supporters.

At least 1,000 supporters of the Independence Vanguard Party attended the party's campaign at Tugu soccer field in North Jakarta.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta office of the official election supervisory body announced on Saturday it has recorded a number of violations of election rules committed by political parties during three days of campaigning. The body promised to take stern actions against the errant parties.

Supervisory body chairman Djohan Simatupang said the violations included convoys on the streets where vehicles transported more than four people, and the destruction of Golkar attributes such as flags by supporters of other parties.

"The (destruction) is a crime that should be handled by the police," he said.

Meanwhile, bajaj drivers said they were happy because campaigning on the fourth day proceeded safely and orderly, but still they were bothered by the loud noises of motorcycles of party supporters roaming the streets of Jakarta.

Nandi, a 30-year-old bajaj driver who operates around Rawamangun market in East Jakarta, told Antara his naps were frequently disturbed by the noise. "I need my naps in order to be strong enough to work," he said.

He said earnings had dropped by up to 60 percent during campaigning days. "Before campaigning, we made between Rp 10,000 and Rp 10,000," he said. "Now it's less than Rp 8,000."

Many streets were closed off by local authorities so campaigners as well as public transportation, including bajaj did not pass through. Residents had to use other means of transportation.

"We don't care about the elections," Nandi said, while his friends nodded in agreement. "Whoever is the president, be it Habibie or any others, whoever wins the elections, we don't care.

"What's important is for the next government to guarantee the people's welfare," he said. (jun/ind/swe)