Supporters, opponents of Gus Dur rally again

JAKARTA (JP): As most factions of the House of Representatives (DPR) accepted on Thursday the recommendations of the special committee on the Bulog and Brunei scandals, thousands of supporters and opponents of President Abdurrahman Wahid took to the streets in various cities for the fourth time since Monday.

In the Central Java town of Blora, around 10,000 supporters of the President swarmed the square, expressing their support for Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Blora is located some 100 kilometers east of the provincial capital, Semarang.

Originating from 16 districts, the demonstrators claimed themselves to be from the Alliance of Blora People. The group consisted of farmers, workers and other professions from various ethnic backgrounds, including Indonesian-Chinese.

They held speeches, urging the Indonesian public to be alert to the emergence of New Order remnants. "The orchestration of the Bulog and Brunei scandals indicated a conspiracy to overturn Gus Dur."

"The people of Blora demanded that Gus Dur be retained until 2004. DPR should be more aware of the high social cost the country would pay if Gus Dur is unseated," an orator said.

Another expression of support for Gus Dur was demonstrated by some 200 members of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in Semarang. Gus Dur had chaired the largest Muslim organization for 15 years before being elected President.

In Surabaya, hundreds of demonstrators converged on the provincial legislative council building suggesting that Gus Dur quit rather than be impeached at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) special session.

Ardian, one of the protesters from Airlangga University, said that the President had betrayed the public's trust by reviving corruption, collusion and nepotistic practices.

He referred to the DPR's vote to overwhelmingly accept the committee's report linking Abdurrahman to two multi-million dollar scandals.

"We also call on everybody to stop worshipping Gus Dur as wali, a pious (Muslim) leader or an angel," Ardian said.

Gus Dur, known for his kyai line from his ancestors, was seen as wali by his fanatical supporters, especially those living in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in Java.

While Gus Dur's opponents were carrying out their speeches, another group of some 100 youths arrived, yelling slogans demanding the dissolution of Golkar for its notoriety during (former president) Soeharto's 32-year tenure.

Another 200 students, who claimed to be neutral, joined groups asking all layers of society to complete the reform agenda properly for the sake of the general public. No incidents were reported.

'Harsher' action was demonstrated by opponents of Gus Dur in Makassar, South Sulawesi, when they prevented Gus Dur supporters from entering the legislative council building.

Hundreds of anti-Abdurrahman protesters said that violence could occur if supporters of the President were let in.

Following pressure from protesters, the South Sulawesi Legislative Council issued a "political statement", requiring the House to issue a memorandum for the MPR special session to impeach Gus Dur.

Meanwhile, in the West Sumatra capital of Padang, student protesters were consistent with their demand; Gus Dur should resign or else Sumatra should attain independence.

Some 500 students of various Islamic organizations and non- governmental organizations amassed at the provincial legislature again on Thursday to reiterate their previous demands.

"We will be here again and again until Gus Dur resigns," Yarsi Sanif, the protesters spokesman said. (nur/har/27/28/sur)