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)