Soerjadi's 'bald devil'

Soerjadi's 'bald devil'

JAKARTA: As the 1997 general election turns into a security
nightmare, the authorities face the challenge of dealing with an
unexpected force, the "bald devil".

From President Soeharto right down to the common man, the bald
devil has been blamed for fouling up the election.

But the devil worked in mysterious ways, said Soerjadi, the
government-recognized chief of the Indonesian Democratic Party
(PDI).

He used the term bald devil to describe government officials
who were trying to win votes for Golkar through people's
stomachs.

He told a rally in Ruteng, East Nusa Tenggara, Thursday that
the bald devil would sneak into PDI supporters' homes a few days
before the election and encourage them to vote Golkar.

"The bald devil's technique is often very funny. The devil
will usually bring 10 kilograms of rice, instant noodles and Rp
10,000 (US$4) for a vote," he said.

If this "seduction" failed, they would try other tricks, such
as intimidation. "But don't be afraid. Fight back and, if you
can, catch the bald devils and take them to court," he said.
(pan)