PPP uses Megawati's name at election rally in Semarang

SEMARANG (JP): An United Development Party (PPP) rally took an interesting twist here yesterday when it used the name of the ousted Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chief, Megawati Soekarnoputri, to attract voters.

"The ousted Megawati is my friend," campaigner Matori Abdul Djalil shouted. "I know her very well. So, come PDI supporters, don't be a nonvoter, vote for PPP!"

His call to members of the conflict-ridden PDI was greeted by a thunderous applause by the crowd. They yelled: "Long live Mega, long live Mega! Long live PPP, long live the Star (symbol of PPP)!"

Megawati's popularity was obvious with many people turning up at the PPP rally in the Central Java capital carrying banners and posters supporting the eldest daughter of first president Sukarno. PPP supporters did the same at other rallies, including those in Jakarta.

One banner read, "Mega-Bintang Jaya" (Megawati and Star are Victorious). "PDI cadres, don't be frustrated, join PPP," said another.

At yesterday's rally, Matori urged PPP supporters to monitor the election process, including ballot counting.

"Let's all watch out for cheating during ballot counting," he said. "If this election is carried out justly, honestly and fairly, PPP will be able to increase its seats in the House of Representatives to 100."

As usual, thousands of green-clad supporters roamed the city's streets in long motorcades after the rally. Fearing trouble, shop owners closed for the afternoon while hundreds of riot police and soldiers stood by.

In Bandung, thousands of PPP supporters caused huge traffic jams.

In South Jakarta, PPP supporters roamed the streets for hours to and from the Palapa soccer field, where PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum and deputy chairman Hamzah Haz campaigned.

PPP rallies in West Jakarta and Tangerang were marred when party supporters clashed with locals, who supported Golkar, and security personnel.

Antara reported that a convoy of PPP supporters ran into Golkar supporters on Jl. Pinang in Cipondoh, Tangerang. No one was injured because Tangerang police chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna and his officers managed to control the crowd in time.

On Jl. Cendrawasih, West Jakarta, security personnel tried to stop PPP supporters passing a roadblock. The supporters yelled at the officers and an argument ensued.

In Bogor, West Java, thousands of PPP supporters stopped in front of the tightly-guarded municipal office to sing sarcastically about Golkar.

In the incident-ridden Central Java coastal town of Pekalongan, the PPP campaigned indoors.

"We're trying to cool the situation," said Pekalongan chapter chairman Mahmud Masjkur.

Pekalongan has been hit by sporadic outbursts of violence and clashes between supporters of the parties. Several people were injured in the clashes. Eight people have been detained for questioning.

In Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, PPP chapter chairman Hasrul Azwar said his party needed 4,000 more volunteers to scrutineer at polling booths.

Azwar was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday that there would be 15,000 polling booths in the province on May 29 and his party had already registered 14,000 scrutineers.

"They have taken their baiat (oath). They've been trained and they have vowed to do their job well," he said. (har/24/23/ahy/wah/aan)