PPP uses Megawati's name at election rally in Semarang
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)