PDI-P officials deny revolution calls

PDI-P officials deny revolution calls

JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) denied on Tuesday they were urging
party supporters to wage a revolution if PDI Perjuangan
chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri failed to win the presidency.

Party officials Jacob Tobing and Laksamana Sukardi said at a
media conference they were calling on party supporters to avoid
violence in expressing their political views.

"I never said anything about a revolution. Our party loves
peace and opposes the use of violence," Jacob said, referring to
a headline in a daily on Monday in which he was quoted as warning
the nation of revolution if Megawati was not elected president.

Thousands of Megawati supporters have arrived in Jakarta in
recent days, raising the possibility of clashes with supporters
of incumbent B.J. Habibie, who have also begun to stage street
rallies.

PDI Perjuangan leaders have been criticized for failing to
control their supporters, who have arrived in the capital from
towns across Java.

Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati's friend and
presidential rival, was the latest to condemn the "revolution
threat".

However, Jacob asked Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, on
Tuesday to clarify or retract his statement.

In Yogyakarta, psychologist Djamaludin Ancok of Gadjah Mada
University called on political leaders to take immediate measures
to stop the mass rallies in Jakarta before bloodshed occurred.

"Pressure from one group will meet resistance from another
group. They are prone to provocation, and mass brawls will result
from the rivalry," Djamaludin said.

He blamed the mass rallies on the public's lack of trust in
the country's political leaders, who are now meeting in the
Assembly's General Session.

"They are afraid their candidate will lose. To make matters
worse, there are many Assembly members who were not elected in
the polls, but appointed," he said.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, cultural expert Mattulada
regretted the mobilization of the masses in the presidential
campaign, saying this could lead to anarchy.

"The competition (for the presidency) should not cause a split
in the nation. Democracy requires supporters of different
presidential candidates to respect one another," he said during a
celebration to mark the city's anniversary. (05/23/27)