PDI conflict drives people to traditional protest

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The sun scorched the backs of eight Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) members who were sun baking to protest the sidelining of party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Outside the Surakarta palace in Central Java last week, Novel, a sun-baking protester, said: "We're seeking the sultan's help to solve our problems."

Novel was referring to Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwono XII, who reigns at Surakarta Palace. Although he has not inherited the power of Javanese kings, he is well respected by locals.

"It is still relevant for us to sun bake and seek a solution for our unsolved problems," said Novel whose head and face were covered with white cloth.

Novel and his friends had sent a letter in Javanese to the sultan complaining about the PDI's rift. It said they were concerned that Megawati was supported by many people but unrecognized by the government.

The protesters asked the sultan, "Shall we vote for PPP (the Moslem-based United Development Party) or PDI in the election? Would the sultan mind if we voted Golput (abstained from the polls)?"

Sun baking, or pepe, is a traditional form of protest in Java. People used to sunburn themselves in front of the palace to attract the sultan's attention. It was up to the sultan whether he invited the protesters into the palace to air their grievances.

These modern day sun-baking protesters must be hard pressed to resort to this ancient form of protest.

Novel said he and other Megawati loyalists were genuinely confused. If they voted for PDI, they felt they would not be represented and if they chose PPP they would be betraying their roots.

"Maybe being a non-voter is the best answer," he said.

Political observer Arief Budiman, a self-proclaimed non-voter, said that abstaining from the election was no longer an option of the economically and intellectually capable urban middle class.

He said Megawati supporters were from varied backgrounds including villages. "Being a non-voter is now an option for the farmers, fishermen, merchants, workers, artists and anyone who identify themselves as supporters of Megawati," he said.

In Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java, Megawati's supporters have publicly declared that they will not vote.

"If Megawati does not get reinstated, we would all become Golput," said Sutoyo, a PDI leader in Temanggung, Central Java.

Several PDI members in Bali, another Megawati stronghold, have declared: "Megawati or nothing."

History

Sartono Kartodirdjo, the 76-year-old historian and professor emeritus at Gajah Mada University, said Indonesia had a long history of protest. Before World War II, people had protested the Dutch colonial administration because they wished to return to the "peace and serenity of the traditional age".

"They did not want changes at the time. They did not think about (protesting for change in) the future. They did not have future then," he told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

"They protested the Dutch colonial government simply because the Dutch were seen as infidels," said the author of The Peasants' Revolt of Banten in 1888. Its condition, Course and Sequel: A Case Study of Social Movement in Indonesia.

He said people now protested because they were restless and anxious. "They have lost the old guidelines of life, and are confused by modernization. Besides, today's situation is really conducive for people to protest.

"This is a climate which is full of injustice for people. That's why they're restless and continuously protesting," he said.

Change

Political analyst Arbi Sanit recently predicted that up to 20 million people would boycott the May 29 general election to protest election rules and the political system.

Arbi also attributed the boycott to the rift in the PDI. He estimated that Megawati's seven million supporters, among the party's 20 million, would boycott the election.

But will it be enough to spur change?

Arief Budiman said it would be naive to think that boycotters could cause change. What could be expected from the abstainers was "mental strength," he said.

The government has said that people do not have to vote, but they must not encourage others to boycott the election.

Demonstrations supporting the boycott have been banned and activists calling for it have been detained or tried. (38)