PDI opposes govt ban on Mega-bintang banners

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): The government-recognized faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) opposed yesterday the government ban on campaign material on the alliance between ousted PDI chief Megawati Soekarnoputri and the United Development Party (PPP).

PDI deputy chairman Ismunandar said the "temporary" alliance had emerged because some members were disappointed by the party's split.

"Why should the government ban them?" he asked after addressing a gathering of 500 PDI supporters in Karebossi stadium here yesterday. "It (the alliance) would not have a serious impact on the PDI vote this year."

"I believe the Megawati loyalists will still vote for PDI when they are in the polling booths," he said.

On Monday, the government banned banners and pictures inscribed with "Mega-bintang," a nickname for the Megawati-PPP alliance, during PPP campaigning. Bintang (star) is the symbol of the Moslem-based PPP.

But the ban has only worked in some regions. No posters or flags bearing the words "Mega-bintang" had been seen at rallies yesterday in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, Antara reported.

"We have not seen any display of Mega-bintang banners and pictures in the PPP's election campaign here," the Bima regency Election Supervision Committee's chief, Muharram, said.

In Jambi, the PPP regional chapter's chief, Yusuf Husin, said that about 300 Megawati loyalists had pledged their support for the PPP. He said his office appreciated the support but wanted the PDI supporters to state this in writing.

"We can't accept their support just like that. It must be reinforced with a written statement as authentication of their allegiance to PPP," he said.

But PDI Jambi branch chief Agus Sunarto said he had not received any reports on the exodus of his supporters to the PPP.

In Padang, West Sumatra, the regional chapter's chairman, Darmadi, said the PPP had invited volunteers to register as scrutineers for the May 29 election.

There was little evidence of the alliance at PPP rallies in Sukabumi, West Java.

But local PPP campaigner Natsir Zubaidi told PPP supporters not to get sucked into the Megawati-PPP phenomenon.

"Megawati supporters' involvement in the PPP's election campaign might not be spontaneous. Perhaps, it is part of a maneuver to tarnish the PPP's good image," he said.

Meanwhile, the Election Supervision Committee's chief, Singgih, said in Surabaya yesterday the PPP should be held responsible for the banners and pictures supporting the alliance.

PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum, who bumped into Singgih at Juanda airport, said again that the PPP could not prevent people joining its campaign.

Separately, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, who was thought to have formed a political alliance with Megawati last year, said in Surabaya yesterday the ban was "hasty".

"The ban created an impression that the government was in panic," he said.

His colleague, Choirul Anam, said Abdurrahman had spoken to Megawati about the so-called aliance and was reportedly told that "she knew nothing about it."

Later in the day, Ismail told supporters in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, that the party was committed to fighting for laws which did not contradict Islamic values.

He said it was PPP's responsibility to defend the Moslems' interests by maintaining the purity of Islamic teachings.

He said that if it seemed the PPP had not built mosques and other Islamic buildings, it was not because the party lacked resources.

"It's because the PPP believes that laws are the main issues, as this will guarantee that the people will live happily and safely," he said. (pwn/31/imn)