PAN, PBB, PK campaigns go smoothly

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)