PDI-P destroys our facilities, PNBK says

PDI-P destroys our facilities, PNBK says

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

The National Freedom Bulls Party (PNBK) has accused supporters of
President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) of attacking its office in Tabanan,
Bali, over the weekend.

PNBK chairman Eros Djarot said on Monday that PDI Perjuangan
supporters had not respected the words of their leader Megawati
when she declared year 2003 the Year Without Violence.

"What a shame that her (Megawati's) instruction was ignored by
the party's members," Eros said.

Eros, a former member of PDI Perjuangan and noted filmmaker,
said some 30 men wearing masks attacked PNBK's office and
supporters at around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday evening.

He said the attack was the fourth such incident against his
party. Last Dec. 27, PDI Perjuangan supporters also vandalized
his party's facilities such as chairs and several party
attributes.

Other cases included the intimidation of several PNBK members
followed by the vandalizing of their homes, cars and motorcycles.

Eros mentioned that his party also received similar treatment
from PDI Perjuangan members in Banyuwangi.

"It is quite clear that they are members of PDI Perjuangan,"
he said.

Eros said that Megawati, as the party's leader, should be held
responsible for the actions of PDI Perjuangan members.

"She has in particular mentioned making Bali a nonviolent
place," he said.

Meanwhile Budi Setyawan, chief of the Bali Police, guaranteed
that the police would seriously investigate the alleged vandalism
by the members of PDI Perjuangan.

Usdek Maharipa, deputy secretary of PDI Perjuangan, said his
party had never been informed of any violent action against Eros'
PNBK in Tabanan, Bali.

"We stand firm on the grounds of presumed innocent. We suspect
a political maneuver is behind the report of violence by our
members," he said.