Rally calls for peaceful elections
Rally calls for peaceful elections
Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali
Hundreds of youths grouped under the Banjar (traditional
neighborhood organization) Umadui in Bali's capital Denpasar
staged a street parade on Sunday afternoon to remind political
parties and their supporters to maintain peace prior to and
during the 2004 elections.
They said they were worried about the possible recurrence of
clashes between supporters of rival parties. Two people were
killed and six others injured in clashes in Buleleng and Tabanan
in October.
"This parade is our response to the recent political clashes
in Buleleng and Tabanan. We hope that local political groups and
their supporters will put their party interests behind people's
demands for security and peace," chairman of the Umadui and
Soputan Youths Movement (GAUS) I Nyoman Sukadana said.
During the one kilometer-long march, the youths were dressed
in traditional costumes and black T-shirts bearing the slogan in
Balinese language "Bali loves peace, do not fight each other for
the sake of political parties' interests".
The youths carried Indonesian flags and the flags of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Golkar Party
-- whose supporters clashed in October -- and the Freedom Bull
National Party (PNBK) (photo above).
"These are the parties which have grassroot supporters among
our banjar," Sukadana said.
The youths ended the parade by hoisting up a giant white flag
as a symbol of peace and the words "Bali Loves Peace".
Giant banners bearing similar messages were raised at various
spots in the neighborhood.
An American tourist, Phill Lameier of California, praised the
parade as a beautiful act.
"I think the message these young people tried to convey, the
call for peace and unity, are what this magnificent island really
needs," he said.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has issued a code of
conduct requiring all political parties contesting the 2004
elections to maintain peace and uphold tolerance.
Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali
Hundreds of youths grouped under the Banjar (traditional
neighborhood organization) Umadui in Bali's capital Denpasar
staged a street parade on Sunday afternoon to remind political
parties and their supporters to maintain peace prior to and
during the 2004 elections.
They said they were worried about the possible recurrence of
clashes between supporters of rival parties. Two people were
killed and six others injured in clashes in Buleleng and Tabanan
in October.
"This parade is our response to the recent political clashes
in Buleleng and Tabanan. We hope that local political groups and
their supporters will put their party interests behind people's
demands for security and peace," chairman of the Umadui and
Soputan Youths Movement (GAUS) I Nyoman Sukadana said.
During the one kilometer-long march, the youths were dressed
in traditional costumes and black T-shirts bearing the slogan in
Balinese language "Bali loves peace, do not fight each other for
the sake of political parties' interests".
The youths carried Indonesian flags and the flags of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Golkar Party
-- whose supporters clashed in October -- and the Freedom Bull
National Party (PNBK) (photo above).
"These are the parties which have grassroot supporters among
our banjar," Sukadana said.
The youths ended the parade by hoisting up a giant white flag
as a symbol of peace and the words "Bali Loves Peace".
Giant banners bearing similar messages were raised at various
spots in the neighborhood.
An American tourist, Phill Lameier of California, praised the
parade as a beautiful act.
"I think the message these young people tried to convey, the
call for peace and unity, are what this magnificent island really
needs," he said.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has issued a code of
conduct requiring all political parties contesting the 2004
elections to maintain peace and uphold tolerance.