PDI glad handing stopped by police
PDI glad handing stopped by police
JAKARTA (JP): A rare campaign by the government-sanctioned
faction of the Indonesian Democratic party (PDI) came a cropper
in South Jakarta yesterday.
Police stopped hundreds of PDI supporters distributing plastic
bags displaying the party's symbol of a bull's head to shoppers
at nine markets.
South Jakarta Police chief, Lt. Col. Sisno Adiwinoto, issued
the last-minute ban, citing security reasons.
PDI South Jakarta branch chairman Tjuk Sudono said the bag
distribution program at Blok M, Pasar Minggu, Pasar Rumput,
Pondok Labu, Bukit Duri and Pengadegan markets was impromptu.
"We just wanted to offer an alternative campaign, but
unfortunately we only informed the police about it yesterday
(Wednesday)," a dejected Sudono said.
Police election campaign guidelines say that police must be
given seven-days notice of campaign programs.
Sudono said the PDI South Jakarta branch would distribute the
bags in the next campaign round Sunday. He had already sought a
police permit.
The PDI's other glad-handing campaigns ran smoothly in Bogor,
West Java, last Sunday with supporters giving flowers to drivers
at the Jagorawi toll road exit.
But a PDI rally in Papanggo, North Jakarta, almost ended in a
brawl because about 200 Megawati Soekarnoputri supporters
occupied the rally's meeting hall for three hours. Megawati has
been sidelined as the party's leader.
About 200 police and soldiers dispersed the Megawati
supporters who yelled support for the daughter of Indonesia's
founding president Sukarno.
The campaign in Papanggo, featuring city councilor Sahala
Sinaga, eventually went ahead with only 60 people attending.
Quiet dialog
Most of the PDI's campaigns in the city involved indoor
speeches. But the audiences -- mostly teenagers and children --
were more interested in watching supporters ride around on
motorbikes outside the venues.
Many of the audience followed the motorcyclist to the streets
where they formed small motorcades.
In Karet Tengsin, Central Jakarta, only 60 people stayed until
the speeches ended. In Jelambar, West Jakarta, only around 100
people waited until the end.
PDI deputy secretary Romulus Sihombing, who addressed an
audience in Jelambar, said that most Indonesians were not ready
for indoor campaigning.
"Most Indonesians lack political education. They enjoy
deafening street rallies rather than sharing fresh ideas," said
Romulus, a House candidate for Jakarta.
With the most of the audience made up of middle and lower
classes, Romulus said he was delighted that three youths asked
questions.
In Bogor, hundreds of PDI supporters packed the streets in a
motorcade that went to the Dreded Hero Cemetery, where they
scattered flower petals on the graves.
Police in Cimahi, West Java, interrupted a PDI rally because
they said it was a discussion and not a speech as planned.
West Java chapter secretary Marini said the organizers wanted
to change the program after national campaigner Andi Chaerul Muis
unexpectedly turned up for the rally.
A record 10,000 people attended a government-recognized
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) rally at Pendidikan field in
Wamena, Irian Jaya. It turned into a festival as native Irianese
audience from Dani tribe performed traditional dance during the
rally which featured party chairman Soerjadi.
The Dani tribesmen, coming from nine districts across the
town, had previously flanked Soerjadi with a dance festival along
his way from his hotel to the campaigning site.
Security officers kept a close watch on the parade, but no
incidents happened until the mass gathering ended.
Soerjadi criticized dominant political grouping Golkar in his
speech for claiming that successful development program is of its
lone share.
"Development involves all Indonesian people, not a single
group," Soerjadi said.
A contrasting mood swept Surabaya as the PDI branch in the
mayoralty canceled all rallies following a brawl-interrupted
rally on Monday. (24/ahy/pwn/cst/amd)