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.