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)