PDI wants clean team of legislators
JAKARTA (JP): The government-recognized faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) wants its future legislators to be clean and hard-working.
Campaigner Dimmy Haryanto told a PDI rally in Banda Aceh, Aceh, yesterday that "PDI legislators should not be affected by the five D's disease."
He was referring to an Indonesian acronym for Datang, Duduk, Diam, Dengar, Duit. Translated, this means "appear, sit, be quiet, just listen and take money" -- an insult to House of Representatives' members who fail in their duties but enjoy the financial rewards of legislators.
"If there are PDI cadres who want to become such legislators, they should withdraw now," he told thousands of cheering supporters.
The PDI concluded its campaign yesterday in the provinces of Sumatra, East Timor, Bali, East and West Nusa Tenggara, amid growing controversy over the ousted PDI chief Megawati Soekarnoputri's announcement that she would abstain from voting.
In Medan, North Sumatra, the party's government-backed chairman, Soerjadi, told supporters and cadres to ignore Megawati's statement.
"She had initially instructed her followers not to take part in the campaign, but they did it anyway," Soerjadi was quoted by Antara as saying.
Soerjadi said PDI supporters did not follow orders arbitrarily because they followed party rules and regulations, and would not be swayed by a prominent figure's statement.
In Yogyakarta, Megawati supporters celebrated the end of campaigning by releasing three balloons with a white banner emblazoned with "Viva Mega" in red letters.
Joko, a Megawati supporter, told The Jakarta Post that the stunt was meant to show their loyalty for Megawati, who maintains she is the party's lawful leader.
"We continue to support Mega because she is PDI's true leader. We will not compromise our right to vote unless her status as party leader is restored and recognized," Joko said.
The balloon, launched by "Loyal Megawati Supporters," attracted great public attention.
Mega-bintang
Megawati loyalists also attended the last campaign round of the United Development Party (PPP) there, with Mega-bintang banners flying high. Mega is a nickname for Megawati, while bintang (star) is the PPP's symbol.
Yogyakarta Legal Aid (LBH) spokesman Budi Hartono said his office had sent a letter to President Soeharto saying that Megawati's declaration was a tacit call on her supporters to abstain from voting.
Had she explicitly called for an election boycott, Megawati could be violating the electoral law by persuading other people not to vote.
In Bengkulu, Sumatra, PDI deputy chairman Ismunandar lamented Megawati's decision for compromising her responsibilities as a citizen.
Ismunandar said her decision to become a non-voter was unwise. "As a good Indonesian citizen with commitment to the people, national unity and the success of the elections, I believe, right or wrong, that this is my country."
He stressed that the election aimed to build long-term national development, and abstaining from voting would not benefit the country. (23/01/swe)