Public apathetic about PDI-P anniversary
Public apathetic about PDI-P anniversary
Rita A. Widiadana and Wahyoe Boedhiwardhana, The Jakarta Post,
Denpasar, Bali
Taking a breather from the heated social and political
turbulence in the capital city of Jakarta, President Megawati
Soekarnoputri is scheduled to join thousands of members of her
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to
celebrate the party's anniversary at Mengwitani soccer field in
Badung regency on Sunday.
Around 70,000 members of PDI Perjuangan and 1,000 invitees,
including foreign ambassadors and diplomats, are expected to turn
up and hear her political speech and her party's stand on
national current events.
Dozens of buses and trucks carrying members of PDI Perjuangan
from Central Java, East Java and other provinces are already
parked at several hotels, homestays and private homes near the
Mengwitani area.
A musical and dance performance presented by Guruh
Soekarnoputra Production (GSP) artists will enliven the event.
Guruh is Megawati's younger brother.
Megawati is scheduled to arrive in Bali on Saturday. She will
stay at the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace near the Kintamani
resort area in Bangli regency, around 60 kilometers from
Denpasar.
In her capacity as president, she will visit Braban village
near Tanah Lot in Tabanan to symbolically plant rice seeds before
heading to the party function.
A local committee member said on Friday a helicopter would
transport the President during her Bali visit.
Compared to PDI Perjuangan's anniversary celebration in Sanur
in 1998, the last time such an event was held in Bali, this
year's gathering looks to be less glamorous and appears to lack
support from the public.
In l998, most of the party's leaders and the local community
worked hand in hand to produce flags, banners, T-shirts and other
party attributes.
Nyoman Widiarsa, a sculptor in Sukawati, Gianyar, remembered
that almost all traders and craftsmen in the Sukawati market
donated part of their incomes to buy material to create various
PDI Perjuangan attributes. Every member of banjar (traditional
Balinese community group) was willing to buy his own T-shirt.
"Many youngsters here dyed their white T-shirts red just to
take part in the parade in Sanur," he said. "This time I haven't
seen many activities to support the celebration in Mengwitani."
Ni Wayan Cini, a seller of banten, myriad of colorful flowers
and other ceremonial tools, at Pasar Badung traditional market in
Denpasar, felt the obligation to help her idol Megawati by
donating half of her profit to help a PDI Perjuangan post at the
market fund its activities.
"But who can spend money other than for food in these
difficult times when everything is so expensive? Besides, she
(Megawati) is no longer my idol," she said.
Nengah Usdek Maharipa, chairman of the Bali committee,
conceded that it was difficult to expect financial help from the
public. Many people think that party members in the legislature
and the presidency have become extremely rich.
The party's celebration is estimated to cost Rp 1.2 billion.
Each of the some 300 PDI Perjuangan provincial and regional
legislative members is expected to donate Rp 2 million.
Top government officials affiliated with the party have also
been asked to provide financial assistance to help the party
procure other necessary equipment such as banners and a sound
system.
Around 200 PDI Perjuangan civilian security personnel and
hundreds of Pecalang traditional Balinese guards will help some
800 police personnel maintain order during the event.