Party loyalties set the stage for clashes

Party loyalties set the stage for clashes

JAKARTA (JP): Election-related violence loomed in parts of the
country on Monday as political parties staged unofficial rallies
ahead of the June 7 polls.

Tension boiled over into a clash when supporters of the United
Development Party (PPP) fought with counterparts from the
National Awakening Party (PKB) in the Central Java village of
Menganti.

The brawl erupted from overnight tension in the neighboring
town of Kudus, in which an unidentified group lowered 55 Golkar
flags hoisted across the town. Disparaging acts against Golkar,
which marked its inauguration as a party on Sunday, also occurred
in other Central Java towns of Blora, Bojonegoro and Purwokerto.

Electioneering officially runs from May 15 through June 4.
Violence frequently occurred in past elections under the strictly
controlled New Order regime of Soeharto. In the most recent
election in 1997, police estimate more than 200 people were
killed in sporadic clashes and election-related traffic accidents
nationwide.

There are fears of unrest at election rallies this year will
be worse than ever due to the 48 parties contesting the polls. A
total of 462 seats in the House of Representatives and scores of
others in the provincial and regency legislatures are to be
contested.

No deaths were reported in the Jepara clash on Monday, but
local PKB chairman Ali Irfan said at least 10 people from both
camps were injured, and six motorcycles belonging to PKB
supporters and a car belonging to a PPP supporter were damaged.

He said the fight exploded when hundreds of supporters of the
two parties -- both with claims to having Muslim strongholds --
met on their way back from respective party functions.

An exchange of taunts descended into a battle of stones,
according to Irfan.

He said the party regretted the incident. "We should have kept
democracy in our minds and recognized difference of opinions.
It's OK to disagree, but don't resort to fighting and physical
violence."

In Kudus, secretary of the local Golkar chapter, Suyatno,
lamented the insult to his party's attributes, believing it
discouraged efforts to establish democracy in the country.

"We hope for a democratic society, don't we? If so, we should
be able to differ in views and choice of political aspirations,"
he said angrily.

Calling itself a functional grouping, Golkar fended off
cheating and vote-rigging allegations to win each of the last six
elections run under the New Order.

In Bandung, PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri
warned party followers against violence.

"Never think of vengeance of oppression we suffered in the
past. Many times we were put in troubles, but we overcame them
with patience," Megawati told thousands packing the Gasibu field.

Despite the fact that the final rules of campaign have yet to
be issued by the National General Election Committee (KPU), the
government, the dominant element in KPU, and some favorite
parties have said they would agree to indoor campaigning.

In Jakarta, Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus said on
Monday campaigning through the mass media should be an effective
alternative for the many political parties.

"But, the mass media must give a fair coverage over the
political parties' campaigning," Yunus told journalists after
attending a hearing session with the House of Representatives
(DPR) Commission I for political and information affairs.

At the national meeting of Golkar Party executives late
Monday, regional representatives were set to name five
presidential candidates in their preferred order, with incumbent
President B.J. Habibie expected to top the list.

Habibie was the preferred nominee of delegates from North
Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi,
Irian Jaya and Maluku, sources said during a presentation of
views and candidates held behind closed doors.

Other candidates are Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, party
executive Ginandjar Kartasasmita, chairman of the Golkar faction
at the Peoples Consultative Assembly Marzuki Darusman, Armed
Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto and Yogyakarta Governor Sultan
Hamengku Buwono X.

Arnold Baramuli, Golkar executive and chairman of the Supreme
Advisory Board and Fahmi Idris, a deputy chairman and Minister of
Manpower, confirmed the substantial support for Habibie. "It's
not directed from the top. It's purely an aspiration from the
grassroots."

The meeting is expected to determine a date at which Golkar
will nominate its presidential candidate.

But Golkar executive Syamsul Mu'arif said that announcing the
final candidate before the June elections could be a gamble.

"If the candidate lives up to the people's expectations, the
early announcement will lead us to another win. It will deliver a
big blow if our candidate lacks popular support," Syamsul said.

He indicated that Golkar would delay the announcement of its
presidential candidate until after the elections. (har/43/45/aan/rms)