PDI members told to end mass street protests

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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