PDI-P to observe July 27 incident

PDI-P to observe July 27 incident

SURABAYA (JP): Some 1,000 supporters of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) are expected to
attend a gathering here on Tuesday to commemorate the third
anniversary of the "July 27" tragedy.

The chairman of PDI Perjuangan's East Java chapter, Sutjipto,
said on Monday that the gathering, to be held at the party's
office on Jl. Raya Kendangsari, is intended to provide party
members with a clear explanation of the forceful takeover of the
then Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters on July 27,
1996. The incident, which triggered unrest throughout Jakarta,
killed five people.

"The ceremony is aimed at strengthening the spirit of party
cadres and supporters," Sutjipto said here on Monday.

He said the provincial chapter would also issue a statement,
expressing loyalty to the party and chairwoman Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

While the General Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) approaches, support for Megawati's presidential
nomination has continued. Some 100,000 party supporters in the
province have pricked their thumbs and stamped their bloody digit
on paper or long banners, symbolizing their support for
Megawati's presidential bid.

Party supporters have also put banners in strategic locations
in the city, reading: Pemilu sudah selesai. Megawati harus jadi
president ke 4 (The general elections is over. Megawati must
become the fourth president).

Sutjipto said he has never instructed party supporters to
organize the movement. "They have done all of this
spontaneously," he said.

Some 900 kilometers east of Surabaya, the party's central
executive board is to hold a similar ceremony on Tuesday at its
headquarters in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. (nur/rms)