PDI blames political system for campaign violence

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta branch of the government-recognized faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) places the blame for campaign violence on a political system which it claims excludes the public's participation.

Leaders of the branch said in a statement released yesterday that recent riots reflected public frustration at the system.

"If we take a careful look at the violence, the root of the problem lies in the malfunctioning political structure (which fails) to develop political awareness," said the statement signed by chairman Loekman Mokoginta and secretary-general Sahala Sinaga.

Riots rocked the capital in the past week, pitting supporters of the dominant political grouping Golkar against their counterparts from the United Development Party (PPP).

There were no fatalities reported but the rampages spread fear among the people. Several offices and schools cut short activities on Tuesday in anticipation of unrest.

The statement said the PDI regretted growing public alarm. This unhealthy atmosphere could eradicate creativity and in turn endanger national unity, the party said.

Party chairman Soerjadi said in his campaign speech in Tenggarong, East Kalimantan on Wednesday that the government should take responsibility for the riots because it controls the Armed Forces (ABRI).

"Don't pin the blame on people or the political organizations. It is the government which monopolizes the general election," Soerjadi said before thousands of people who packed the local tourism office's field.

"We have long urged the government to share the burden, but to no avail," he said. "Should the bride and groom take responsibility for any disturbances which occur at their wedding party?"

The party's final campaigning stint here took the form of gladhanding marked by a cultural carnival, distribution of banners and food.

A parade of decorated boats was held on Seribu Islands and Tanjung Priok bus terminal. The party supporters scattered flags and handed out food to people who were passing Bendungan Hilir in Central Jakarta, and Kuningan, Cilandak and Mampang in South Jakarta.

In Surabaya, party supporters followed in the footsteps of their Jakarta colleagues as they roamed around the city to hand out stickers and banners to passerbys. They also supplied meals to pedicab drivers, including those who supported ousted PDI leader Megawati.

Despite the party leadership's announced policy not to hold rallies, street rallies were seen in other sections of Surabaya and East Java towns of Pasuruan, Jombang, Probolinggo and Malang. These did not cause serious traffic jams.

The PDI's East Java chairman, Dimmy Haryanto, denied that pressures from a particular group were behind the gladhanding.

Meanwhile, Semarang hosted a noisy rally on Kalisari field. Some 2,000 people attended the rally which featured local campaigners as well as dangdut singers.

On Wednesday, a PDI rally scheduled at the Mattoangin soccer field in Ujungpandang was canceled for security reasons, to the disappointment of hundreds of spectators who had waited since the morning. (37/har/nur/amd)