Supporters, opponents of Gus Dur rally again

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)