PPP shows strength prior to general elections
PPP shows strength prior to general elections
JAKARTA (JP): More than 15,000 supporters of the Moslem-based
United Development Party (PPP) held a rally here yesterday in a
massive show of strength in the run-up to next year's general
elections.
"I'm calling on you all, especially PPP supporters in Jakarta
to help achieve again the success that this party achieved in the
1977 general elections," said chairman of Jakarta branch Rusjdi
Hamka to loud cheers from the participants.
PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum and other party executives
attended the rally. One notable figure present was poet and
columnist Emha Ainun Nadjib, who declared support for the party
last year in the hope of boosting its share of votes next year.
"PPP represents the aspirations of Islam in Indonesian
politics," Najib told the crowd members, who waved banners
bearing the party's golden star symbol.
The party received 18.74 million votes in the 1977 poll, while
the ruling Golkar snatched 39.75 million and the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI) got 5.5 million. That general election was
notable for the party because it managed to beat Golkar in its
stronghold of Jakarta.
Votes for the party have declined since. In 1992, it received
16.6 million compared to Golkar's 66.6 million and the PDI's 14.6
million.
During the rally, which put an end to six months of
celebrating since the party marked its 23rd anniversary last
January, the activists made speeches and blasted the ruling
Golkar and the PDI, which has been suffering a crisis in
leadership over the past month.
"Golkar is confused and PDI members are squabbling among
themselves! PPP is the only party for Moslems to vote for, it's
the truth," shouted Fahruzuki Ishak, a PPP regional
representative in his speech.
When asked if PPP would benefit from the controversial rift in
the PDI which has left the party with two rival leaders, PPP
Secretary-General Tosari Wijaya assented. "I think so," he was
quoted by AFP as saying. He declined to elaborate.
Supporters clad in the party's trademark green packed the
sports stadium for a three-hour ceremony, cheering "Long live
PPP" and "PPP will win the elections."
"This rally is to showcase our upcoming election campaign
which we plan to launch in April or May next year," Tosari told
AFP.
PPP, PDI and Golkar will compete for 425 seats in the
parliament. The remaining 75 parliamentary seats are reserved for
members of the Armed Forces.
In his speech, chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said that the
public "has become tired of having to watch the declining
morality in all aspects of the nation's life".
The weakening of the people's morality, he said, has
influenced all aspects of economic, social, and political life.
(swe)