Pro-govt activists launch campaign of terror in E. Java

Pro-govt activists launch campaign of terror in E. Java

SURABAYA (JP): Threats and intimidation of local party and
government officials marked demonstrations by supporters of the
President in East Java on Monday.

The protesters in Tuban in East Java sealed off Golkar Party's
local office and forced the local legislative council, Deputy
Regent Sukirman, the prosecutor's office and the local office of
the National Agrarian Agency to support the action.

They also pelted stones at the building, seriously damaging
the property.

The protesters marched to Tuban Regent Hindarto's residence to
force him to put his signature on a petition, which rejected the
House of Representatives' recent memorandum against President
Abdurrahman Wahid and demanded the dissolution of the House and
Golkar.

They marched to the local legislative council building with
the same purpose after failing to meet with Hindarto. The regent
was reportedly out of town, avoiding the protesters.

Antara reported that the protesters dispersed after the
chairman of the local legislative council signed the petition.

In Surabaya, hundreds of civilian guards stayed on alert
around the office of the largest Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim
organization's East Java chapter after an unidentified person
informed that several bombs were planted in the building.

"A person phoned at 2 p.m. claiming that the bombs are going
to explode immediately," Zaini Ilyas, a staff at the office,
said.

The information turned out to be a hoax.

In a related development, the police have detained 11 suspects
allegedly involved in acts of vandalism and the burning of Golkar
party offices in East Java last week, National Police Chief Gen.
Surojo Bimantoro said here on Monday.

Bimantoro also revealed that besides supporters of NU, members
of the tiny Democratic People's Party (PRD) were also involved in
the acts.

"I received a report that PRD members were involved, besides
NU members," the four-star general told reporters.

Golkar leaders, including chairman Akbar Tandjung, have
earlier accused PRD along with other student groups, such as City
Forum (Forkot), Student and People's Forum for Democracy (Famred)
and Collective Forum (Forbes), of being behind the vandalism.

Golkar also reported the vandalism to the National Police
headquarters and filed a complaint against NU chairman Hasyim
Muzadi for slandering Akbar.

PRD chairman Budiman Sudjatmiko has denied the party's
involvement in the acts, although admitting that it was in the
forefront in campaigning for the disbandment of Golkar Party.

In return, Budiman reported to police Akbar and his deputy
Mahadi Sinambela for slandering PRD with their statements.

In Jakarta, 40 NU clerics from West Java and Banten provinces
called on the President to step down voluntarily to avoid a
possible civil war.

"The continuing political stability and economic crisis is
evidence that the President has been unable to lead the nation,"
Lili Soemantri, spokesman for the ulemas, said in a meeting with
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung here on Monday.

Lili, a director of an Islamic boarding school in Bandung,
said the 40 ulemas represented 400 NU clerics and 500,000
students of Islamic boarding schools in both provinces' 20
regencies, including Tangerang, Serang, Bandung, Sukabumi, Ciamis
and Subang.

The clerics also met with Amien Rais, chairman of the People's
Consultative Assembly, to air similar demands.

Deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in West Java Nanang
Iskandar Ma'soem, however, dismissed claims that the ulemas
represented the aspirations of NU's West Java chapter.

"Several ulemas, who claimed to be NU members from West Java
and have 500,000 supporters, were never recognized by the real NU
members here," Nanang said in a statement as quoted by Antara.

Separately, Ahmad Sumargono, chairman of the National Muslim
Brotherhood Movement, also called on the President to resign to
end the political chaos.

Meanwhile, around 200 senior high school students from East
Jakarta held a demonstration near the House compound to express
their support for the President.

Later in the day, dozens of people representing 35 mass
organizations in East Java also held a meeting with House Speaker
Akbar Tandjung, accusing the House of having provoked people's
anger with the memorandum.

"The House should be held responsible for its actions. Akbar
Tandjung and Amien Rais should resign as they had failed to fight
for the people's interests," they said in a statement.

They also urged the dissolution of Golkar Party.

Meanwhile, outside the complex thousands of students from the
Indonesian Students and Muslim Clerics Forum (FPSI) along with
the Nation Defender Movement (Gerapana) staged a protest, urging
the members of the political elite to stop bickering.

In Magelang, Central Java on Monday, some 20,000 supporters of
Abdurrahman marched 20 kilometers to Krasak Bridge to throw the
effigies of Akbar Tandjung and Amien Rais, symbolically
expressing their support for the President.

"This procession is symbolic in the Javanese tradition of
throwing away bad luck," a protester said, adding that the
procession is known as larungan.

In the North Sumatra capital of Medan two groups of
protesters, consisting of hundreds of students marched to the
provincial legislature on Monday, urging the President to resign,
and condemning the anarchistic actions of his supporters.

The students also denounced the corruption, collusion and
nepotistic practices (KKN) committed during Abdurrahman's
administration.

Meanwhile, protests by both supporters and critics of the
government were held in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Monday.
(rms/dja/edt/jun/nur/44/39/27)