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)