Parties push ahead with premature campaigning

JAKARTA (JP): Although the official election campaign period is still a month away, political parties across the country have moved their electioneering activities into high gear.

In some cities, motorcades of party supporters in colorful uniforms and bandanas snaked through small streets and major thoroughfares. No fatalities or violence has been reported over the past three days from electioneering, which is officially scheduled for May 19 through June 4.

However, there were some reports of harassment. The Suara Pembaruan afternoon daily said on Sunday a dozen members of ruling Golkar Party's security force were harassed in the Central Java town of Boyolali as they returned from a gathering with party chairman Akbar Tandjung.

They were blocked by a group of unidentified people on Jl. Merbabu, and were allowed to go after being forced to remove their party uniforms, the newspaper said.

Akbar and a number of party executives were in Boyolali for a reading of the Koran to mark Islamic New Year, the first day of Muharram on Saturday, which was celebrated on Sunday.

The Jakarta Post's correspondent in Boyolali witnessed the arrival of Akbar's convoy -- comprising about 2,000 people, far lower than the expected 20,000 -- at Sonolayu stadium, and said the supporters were jeered at by locals.

When Akbar waved to the crowd, most people responded by showing the finger sign of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) led by popular politician Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Tension was felt when some people in the crowd shouted to Golkar's security personnel -- numbering over 1,000, according to provincial task-force commander Bambang Raya -- "You're thugs".

Bambang said the security force included members of Golkar's youth wings AMPI, PPM and FKPPI.

In his speech, Akbar said: "Yes, indeed there are people intimidating us, but don't be afraid to stand up to them."

"I am here, and no riots have broken out as some press reports said would happen if I came," he said.

Akbar was referring to strong opposition, voiced by various parties, to his planned visit to Central Java, following a clash between Golkar members and supporters of PDI Perjuangan.

However, Akbar's convoy chose an alternate route to continue their journey to Surakarta, another central Java town, reportedly to avoid mobs.

No mass gathering was held by Golkar in Surakarta, following widely reported rejection by locals, Antara reported on Saturday.

Another incident took place in East Java's capital of Surabaya.

A confrontation between supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) and the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Party, was reported by ANteve on Sunday. No injuries were reported.

The news agency also reported electioneering by PPP in West Java's capital of Bandung and Jakarta, the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) in Jakarta, PDI Perjuangan in Jakarta, the Indonesian Democratic Union Party (PUDI) in Central Kalimantan's capital of Palangka Raya and the National Democratic Party (PND) in Lampung.

Meanwhile, at least 24 of the 32 parties represented in Cirebon, West Java, held on Saturday a joint street rally, calling for peaceful campaigning, the news agency said.

In Bandung on Saturday, influential Madurese figure Alawy Muhamad of PPP's board of advisers called on Muslims across the nation to unite and vote for PPP.

"If PPP wins, the party will strive to introduce Islamic teaching into the life of society," he told a crowd of hundreds.

A street convoy followed after the gathering, but no violence occurred, Antara reported.

In the Pasar Minggu area in South Jakarta, the chairman of the Jakarta chapter of PDI Perjuangan, Roy B.B. Janis, officially opened 70 "command outposts" scattered across the city.

As many as 2,500 have already been established in Jakarta, he was quoted as saying.

The outposts, usually small bamboo huts painted red, are placed at intersections and street corners as bases for supporters to gather or conduct party activities.

Also in Jakarta, thousands of supporters of PDR gathered on Saturday in the Senayan indoor sports stadium to declare the establishment of the party.

Press reports have linked PDR to Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono.

Party chairman Latief Burhan denied there was a connection, the news agency said.

In Lampung, PND announced on Sunday Megawati's elder brother, Guntur Soekarnoputra, was the party's candidate for president.

In Palangka Raya on Saturday, PUDI chairman Sri Bintang Pamungkas introduced the party's political platform for "total reform".

The reform plan consists of "seven pillars": direct election of president and vice president; regional autonomy within the unitary state framework; reform of legislative bodies; the revocation of the military's sociopolitical role; establishment of an independent judiciary; the upholding of human rights; and amendment of the 1945 Constitution. (44/aan)