Parties told to abide by rules over rallies

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman reiterated yesterday that any parties intending to hold mass rallies or demonstrations should abide by the existing regulations.

"If you want to express your opinions (through rallies or demonstrations), you have to introduce your scheme first to ensure that everything proceeds smoothly and according to the rules," he said.

Djadja made the statement in response to the controversial police ban of a rally planned to mark the second anniversary of a bloody incident which occurred on July 27, 1996.

At least five people died and many more went missing after supporters loyal to Megawati Soekarnoputri were evicted from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Headquarters in Central Jakarta by supporters of a government-backed faction in the party two years ago on Monday.

"The ban had nothing to do with what the commemoration stood for, but because of the danger of a mass mobilization of people," he said, refusing to elaborate.

A government regulation in lieu of a law on "freedom of expression" was signed by President B.J. Habibie last Friday.

Minister of Justice Muladi, who announced the move, said the new regulations, which were submitted by the Ministry of Defense and Security and the Ministry of Home Affairs, were not meant to silence government critics or to restrict human rights, but to prevent uncontrollable situations from arising and to enforce the law.

According to the four chapter, 17 article document elucidating the new rules, a police permit is required for street demonstrations involving more than 50 people.

Chapter 11 states the police must give an official answer to any request for a permit. A demonstration can be held three days after a permit has been issued.

The police must also be informed at least 24 hours in advance if demonstrations are canceled, apparently to prevent the unnecessary deployment of security officers.

Street protest are no longer allowed on public holidays, at night and in certain areas, including those close to the presidential palace, places of worship, military installations, hospitals, harbors and airports, and railway stations.

Djadja also said that troops currently deployed to safeguard the capital would only be withdrawn once the situation here was considered safe.

"All of us should be proactively involved in maintaining security so our economy can return to normal," he said. (ivy)