PDI members told to end mass street protests

JAKARTA (JP): The chief of the Jakarta Regional Military Command, Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, warned loyalists of ousted Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri yesterday to quit their mass street protests, as they have disrupted the city's order and security.

"The PDI members and supporters have violated the agreement made last week between the party's officials and military command by penetrating military blockades and marching along city streets and riding motorbikes," Sutiyoso said during a press conference.

The embattled PDI executive board and the Jakarta military command agreed on June 21 that, following a bloody clash in the capital a day earlier, there would be no more violence perpetrated by either side.

A delegation of seven party executives had guaranteed during the meeting that there would be no more marching by Megawati's supporters, and said that activities would be held at the party's headquarters only.

Thousands of Megawati's supporters marched through Central Jakarta on June 20, protesting against a rebel congress which was then taking place in Medan, North Sumatra. The protest culminated in a clash with security forces, leaving more than 100 people injured.

Sutiyoso, who is also head of the City Agency for the Coordination of Support for the Development of National Stability, said that the mass street protests have turned destructive, brutal, terrifying and disrupted peace and order.

"We'll take firm actions against any criminal and brutal activities which might disrupt the national stability," he said.

The press conference was attended by Jakarta governor Surjadi Soedirdja and Chief of the Jakarta Police Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata.

Hamami said police would slap criminal charges against any violation of the agreement on street rallies.

Separately, Surjadi denied speculation that the city administration has been planning to seal the PDI headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta. "It's a lie," he said.

At about the same time yesterday, more than 1,000 Megawati loyalists held a noisy protest over the Medan congress. Riding on motorbikes and other vehicles as well as walking, they made their way down streets in Central Jakarta, shouting slogans such as "Long live Megawati. Long live PDI!"

The march caused a massive traffic jam in the area. There were no reports of arrests or violence.

The protesters had earlier staged a protest at the House of Representatives, but left after failing to meet House Speaker Wahono.

Dialog

Separately, one of Megawati's deputies Suparlan said his camp is ready to meet and hold dialogs with the government-sponsored PDI chairman, Soerjadi.

After stating the willingness to do so, however, Suparlan lashed out at the man who was elected at the Medan congress. "He is a leader only on paper," Suparlan said of Soerjadi. "He's not able to consolidate PDI cadres. How can he take care of the party and the people?"

Also yesterday, chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council Sudomo joined a number of observers who had earlier criticized the government's intervention in the PDI rift.

"The government should not have meddled," he told reporters after attending the funeral of former chief justice Ali Said at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery yesterday.

Sudomo said the government should not have just listened to only one camp in the dispute.

He also suggested that the feuding party leaders settle the rift through dialog.

A similar call was made yesterday by former vice president Sudharmono. "Please reconcile and solve the problems together," he said. (jun/imn)

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