PDI-P supporters upset over Megawati's defeat
PDI-P supporters upset over Megawati's defeat
JAKARTA (JP): The unexpected defeat of Megawati Soekarnoputri,
chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan), in Wednesday's presidential election sparked
widespread anger from thousands of loyal party supporters.
Thousands of other disappointed Megawati supporters in big
cities across the country also expressed their frustration
following the surprising outcome of the presidential election.
The election was held in the early afternoon at the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) building in Jakarta.
Many militant PDI Perjuangan loyalists in the capital waited
at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta from
early in the morning, nervously following the vote counting
process via their radios. Following the unexpected news of their
leader's defeat, they defiantly marched and revved their vehicles
to the Assembly complex on Jl. Gatot Subroto in Central Jakarta.
"We don't need Gus Dur. We don't need anybody to lead this
country, but Ibu Mega," cried Yunan, an elderly supporter from
East Jakarta.
Gus Dur is the popular name for Abdurrahman Wahid, the elected
President.
Another upset supporter screamed: "Gus Dur will do nothing to
Soeharto! He has no guts to do that!"
He was referring to former president Soeharto, who many people
claim misused his power during his 32-year rule.
Earlier, the crowd was euphoric when they were informed by
other Megawati supporters, who quoted reports from state-owned
TVRI, that Abdurrahman had handed over power to Megawati.
The news generated jubilation among the PDI Perjuangan
supporters.
"Long live Mega! Mega is our leader!" the crowd yelled. Many
of them sang and revved their motorcycles at the site.
Most of them knelt on the ground, praying for their leader's
safety and her eventual triumph.
Some of the supporters approached stunned security personnel
and shook their hands.
"Let them believe the rumor ... we have to do our job," said
one officer.
The joy quickly turned to dismay when they heard that
Abdurrahman had been elected the new President and the "good
news" was incorrect.
The elation turned to anger.
The PDI Perjuangan supporters then left the Hotel Indonesia
traffic circle and headed to the Assembly to request a clear
explanation from the legislators about the defeat of their
revered leader.
When told that Megawati was about to address her supporters on
the street, one of the leaders replied: "We don't need her to
come here. It's over and it's too late!"
The woman then got into her gleaming red BMW sedan and led the
crowed, most of whom were wearing the party's familiar red-and-
black merchandise and carrying the bull symbol accessories, to
the Assembly.
The crowd forced scores of traffic policemen and riot troops
on Jl. Sudirman to leave the area. Serious clashes on the major
thoroughfare, home to many skyscrapers and major business and
banking offices were avoided.
"There's no country on this earth like us, where the winning
party in the election get nothing," shouted supporter Abdul Karim
from North Jakarta as the crowd passed along the street.
The crowd also forced dozens of street vendors, who were
afraid their supplies would be looted, to quickly depart the area
Employees and security guards working in some buildings in the
Blora area and Jl. Sudirman hastily blocked and locked their
premises.
After observing the approach of thousands of PDI Perjuangan
supporters, hundreds of students from the City Network
organization, who had gathered in front of the Atma Jaya
University, canceled their plan to stage a rally near the
Assembly complex.
The students jumped from their buses and left the site. They
said it was too dangerous to mingle with the angry supporters.
On Jl. Gatot Subroto, the PDI Perjuangan supporters ripped up
toll road dividers and traffic signs.
Molotov cocktails were thrown at the entrance gate of the
Jakarta Hilton Convention Center and partially burned the gate.
They also mocked Assembly Speaker Amien Rais as a traitor.
"Mega must win!" yelled one of the protesters.
Other added: "Our constitution clearly stipulates that the
president should be spiritually and physically healthy."
The crowd of some 5,000 people were blocked by cordons of
security troops at the Senayan flyover, a few meters from the
Assembly. (04/ylt/asa/ind/bsr)