PDI Perjuangan closes with a roar
JAKARTA (JP): An estimated one million red-clad supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) reigned in the capital on Thursday, putting on a grand finale to the three-week campaigning when they came out in full force to congest streets and alleys.
Chanting "Long live Mega," the masses practically shut down transportation from and heading toward the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in South Jakarta, which they turned into a big stage show of support for party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Employees of offices along the Jl. Sudirman and Jl. M.H. Thamrin thoroughfare joined the festivity which had been actually started by groups of supporters from Thursday midnight.
In the afternoon, Megawati was flown in on a helicopter to a field in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, where she addressed 50,000 supporters, telling them to watch polling booths during balloting on Monday.
"In the past, riggings took place in the polling stations. So go there and watch until ballot counting is finished," she said.
Wearing black, Megawati was accompanied by Muslim preacher Habib Abubakar Assegaf, her husband Taufik Kiemas, and stepsister Kartika Soekarnoputri.
"We have been oppressed for many, many years. We have been pushed aside for many, many years but now we can win," the daughter of Indonesia's founding president, Sukarno, said. "Do not sell your vote."
"United we are strong. Divided we will fall," she said.
Monday's ballot will be followed in November with the election of a new president. Megawati and leading Moslem figure and academic Amien Rais are viewed as the strongest candidates to succeed the incumbent B.J. Habibie.
Red-clad party faithfuls riding in and atop trucks, cars and motorcycles thronged the streets, waving flags, tooting horns, banging drums and yelling support for Megawati at the campaign venue.
As they waited for Megawati's arrival, a fire engine sprayed water on the crowd to cool them down, bringing cheers. Among the supporters were a group of transvestites, including one wearing a bikini and grass skirt and riding on top of a bus.
There were few troops on the streets, but Megawati's party deployed about 800 of its own security officials.
Thursday's rally also caused a number of accidents, including one which killed a toddler in Ciledug, Tangerang, in West Java.
Police said Para Dea Melinda, 2, of Sudimara Timur subdistrict, was hit when she darted across Jl. H.O.S. Tjokroaminoto by a truck carrying PDI Perjuangan supporters. It was not clear whether the child was without adult's supervision.
Meanwhile, at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, two trailer trucks were parked with dozens of female supporters wearing tight red T-shirts pranced about on top.
A group of Irian Jayans wearing traditional clothes also danced to the cheers of thousands of supporters lingering at the roundabout. Several party supporters managed to climb the Welcome Statue at the traffic circle and position the party flag and a big banner. Other supporters also unfurled a long banner surrounding the traffic circle.
A marching band which were employees of Medco Corporation, a company controlled by party loyalist Arifin Panigoro, entertained supporters on Jl. Sudirman.
PRD
Meanwhile, around 500 supporters of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) flocked Jl. Salemba, Central Jakarta, in the evening causing a heavy traffic jam on the street. The supporters, mostly students, played loud music and set off fire works.
About 20 youths taking part in the festivity were seen wearing T-shirts and vests that were emblazoned by the forbidden communist symbol of a hammer and sickle, while others wore the swastika symbol which represents Nazism.
An executive of PRD, Aan Rusdiyanto, who is also a member of the National Elections Committee (PPI), denied any knowledge about the forbidden symbols. "The party did not distribute anything, that's none of our business," he said. "That is their (the youths) own initiative."
Later in the evening, the party fans moved toward the General Elections Commission (KPU) office on Jl. Imam Bonjol, Central Jakarta, but were blocked by security personnel. The incident forced security personnel to close some streets leading toward Jl. Imam Bonjol.
Aan, however, said they were not campaigning but demonstrating.
"We want to show our support for students of Aceh's Solidarity Movement (SMUR) who have been on a hunger strike for a few days," Aan said.
The Acehnese students in Banda Aceh have been calling on the government to postpone the elections until calm and peace return to the troubled province.
The youths dispersed peacefully afterward. (edt/ind/jun)