PDI Perjuangan now official

PDI Perjuangan now official

JAKARTA (JP): An estimated 120,000 supporters of Megawati
Soekarnoputri packed the Senayan Sports Stadium on Sunday to mark
the launching of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) and her nomination as the party's presidential
candidate.

PDI Perjuangan was so named to differentiate it from the less
popular, government-backed faction of the splintered PDI led by
Budi Hardjono. Megawati's supporters took up the tag Perjuangan,
or struggle, to represent the faction's years of striving against
injustices inflicted on it under the New Order rulers.

"Even though our party may be categorized as new, don't be
discouraged... because our struggle has been recognized and in
that way that it's not new to the world," Megawati said in her
address.

To a visibly charged crowd clad predominantly in the party's
red and black colors, Megawati recounted 1996's bloody July 27
tragedy when her military-backed PDI rival members stormed into
the party headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro 58 here. At least five
people were killed in the ensuing rioting while dozens more went
missing.

Since then, her faction has waged a legal battle against some
members of the New Order regime which toppled her from the party
leadership in a congress it organized through the party's
breakaway elements now united as the PDI under Budi Hardjono.

"We've resisted arrogant parties who fought to maintain the
status quo," Megawati declared to big applause from her
supporters.

Full circle

Two big banners hung onto the stadium's clocks and score
boards were inscribed with "Ingat! Perjuangan Kami Sudah Bulat"
(Beware! Our struggle has come full circle).

The well set up sound system energized the crowd with English
band Queen's We Are The Champions. Heavy rains failed to stop
supporters from streaming onto and marching over the stadium's
soccer field.

The party uses a bull's head as its symbol, but surrounded by
a black circle instead of the pentagram in PDI's other
incarnation.

Sunday's event was the first gathering for the party -- or at
least some of its elements -- at the stadium since July 1965,
said Jakarta PDI Perjuangan chairman Roy B.B. Janis when he
opened the party's extravaganza.

Then, it was the country's founding president Sukarno,
Megawati's father, who addressed the crowd, he said.

Roy even suggested the stadium be returned to it previous
name, Gelora Bung Karno which could either mean Sukarno's sports
hall or Sukarno's Gusto.

Earlier, Roy reiterated the commitment made during the party's
congress last year in Bali that PDI Perjuangan would be led by
Megawati from the year 1998 to 2003. He said Megawati was the
party's candidate for the June election and the country's third
president.

Roy also repeated the party's call that the crisis be worked
out through the cooperation of all the nation's elements.

Also attending Sunday's event were members of the PDI
Perjuangan's central board and senior party members and founders,
chairpersons of the party's chapters from 27 provinces and some
dignitaries from foreign embassies here.

Among party leaders and seniors were Theo Sjafei, Dimyati
Hartono, Laksamana Sukardi, Kwik Kian Gie, Mochtar Buchori, Tarto
Sudiro and Haryanto Taslam.

Also present was Megawati's husband Taufiq Kiemas.

One of the deputy chairmen of the country's largest Muslim
organization Nahdlatul Ulama, Said Aqil Siradj -- who is also a
leader of the People's Awakening Party (PKB) -- was also present.

Prayer

Said lead a prayer in the event.

To pull the country out of the present crisis, Said said the
leaders must come from parties which had never "betrayed the
people, or had lied or sold false promises" to the people.

"God willing, PDI Perjuangan's victory in the upcoming
elections will restore confidence."

Along with new parties such as PKB and the National Mandate
Party, PDI Perjuangan is a strong contender for the June 7 poll.
Political analysts have predicted that the next government will
be formed by a coalition of parties in the People's Consultative
Assembly.

PDI is a 1973's fusion of five parties: the country's one-time
biggest party led by Sukarno the Indonesian Nationalist Party,
the Catholic Party, the Indonesian Christian Party, the Murba
Party and the Association of Indonesian Independence Supporters
(IPKI).

The nationalist color of PDI was displayed on Sunday as
patriotic songs were boomed out along with traditional songs and
dance performances.

Party supporters were seen carrying state symbols of Pancasila
and the 1945 Constitution which event announcers said symbolized
the party's will to defend them.

Also seen in the throng of party supporters in the stadium
were bicycle taxi peddlers, taxi drivers and Warung Tegal food
vendors.

Lead the singing of the national anthem was popular singer
Utha Likumahuwa.

No incidents were reported, except for some complaints of
pickpocketing -- including a journalist who lost his mobile
phone. (edt/aan)