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)