PDI-P supporters told to prevent violence

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri marked the party's 28th anniversary on Sunday with a call for her supporters to block attempts to instigate violence.

Megawati was addressing around 100,000 party supporters packing the Senayan Stadium on the eve of a rumored mass rally against President Abdurrahman Wahid. Precautions by the security authorities have already been in made, with some 40,000 police officers and military troops deployed to safeguard security in the capital on Monday.

"Let us say, from now on, to say 'No' to any attempt at using violence and terror. Let us free this nation from the traps of violence and terror," she said.

Megawati, who is the Vice President, said the use of violence would further damage the country's image.

"In my capacity as the party's chairwoman, I urge all members to always resort to non-violent measures in our struggle. Anybody who acts in anarchic manner must not be part of the PDI Perjuangan," she said.

Megawati was referring to the rally on Monday, which has spread fear among people in the city. Many schools, both state and private, have decided to either halt activities or cut classes short for Monday.

The Vice President further condemned the Christmas Eve bombings, calling them a crime against humanity. She said the nation should do all in its power to prevent a repeat of the bombings or a spreading of terrorism.

At least 19 people were killed and over 100 injured in the wave of bomb attacks, the latest to shake the country over the past two years.

Megawati brought 15-year-old schoolboy Ahmad Taufik to the podium to express her gratitude for his "courage and tolerance" which saved a lot of lives from an act of terrorism.

Taufik, a resident of Bekasi, West Java, found three live grenades placed on railway tracks near his village on Monday and reported it to the police. Trains heading for Jakarta were delayed for several hours as police cleared the tracks of the explosives.

Also present at Sunday's celebration were President Abdurrahman Wahid, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais and several cabinet ministers.

Some 5,000 Nahdlatul Ulama youth wing Ansor members, who previously had been reported to be preparing themselves for a containment of anti-Abdurrahman supporters on Jan. 15, were also seen mingling with the PDI Perjuangan activists.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Megawati's call for peace was worth appreciating.

"Ibu Mega's call is very appropriate and people will feel more secure. Hopefully nothing bad will happen on Monday following her statement," Susilo said after attending the commemoration.

He further said the police had been fully prepared for the planned mass rally.

Amien Rais echoed Susilo's remark, saying that people should comply with Megawati's call and all national leaders should follow suit to avoid further tension in the country.

Earlier in the day, Amien dismissed reports of Monday's huge rallies against the President.

Speaking upon inaugurating the new office of his National Mandate Party (PAN) on Jl. Tebet Timur Raya in South Jakarta, Amien, who chairs the party, said there would be rallies on Monday, but with a smaller participation of only several thousand people.

He said he welcomed the rallies if they were intended to express opinions without involving destructive actions.

"If the rallies are followed by damaging shops, burning tires, they violate the principles of democracy," he said.

He said he believed the security authorities had properly arranged measures to prevent people from joining the possible rallies and made appropriate precaution of them.

Ansor Youth Movement chairman Saifullah Yusuf guarantee that all its members who attended Sunday's celebration would leave the capital as soon as the event was over.

"I will make sure that everybody is heading for their respective hometowns and none of them will hold any mass rally on Monday," he remarked.

In Makassar capital of South Sulawesi, chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) and head of Bulogate special committee Bachtiar Hamzah claimed that circulating rumors of mass deployment to the capital on Monday "is aimed to scare members of Bulogate Special Committee".

"I have the feeling that this planned massive demonstration is aimed to discourage the House committee to investigate Bulog scandal. I think NU should leave the matter to the House and stay away from politics," Bachtiar said.

"Actually it's okay to show aspirations or critics towards the government and it's all right to defend the administration, too, but the course of the (Monday) protest must be objective," Bachtiar said. (dja/jun/27/edt)