Supporters still root for Megawati
Supporters still root for Megawati
SURABAYA (JP): Seven officials of East Java branch of the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) went on trial yesterday for
"defecting" to the government-backed, splinter group's congress
in Medan, North Sumatra, June 1996.
The seven were facing a lawsuit slapped on them by local PDI
supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the party chief deposed by
her opponent, Soerjadi, at the congress.
Judge Eko Wardoyo presided over the court session attended by
East Java party chief and Megawati loyalist Soetjipto. Soerjadi's
camp in East Java was represented by Dimmy Haryanto, who is
approved by the provincial administration.
Lawyers from the Public Defender for Indonesian Democracy
(TPDI), Trimoelja D. Soerjadi and Indro Sugianto, represented the
plaintiffs.
The defendants, who were not present, were represented by
Samba Perwirajaya. They were R. Soedaryanto, M. Djoko Soemirmo,
Hadi Soeryonegoro, Mentik Budiwijono, Nonot Soerjono, Noer Husein
and Herman P. Tampubolon.
Hundreds of Megawati supporters appeared at the courthouse
which was under tight military and police security.
One of the plaintiffs' lawyers said the seven officials had
wrongfully used their authority to manipulate and influence other
branches to support the congress in Medan.
The party officials were sued for material damages of Rp 1.1
billion (US$460,830).
Samba rejected the plaintiffs' demand, saying the current
conflicts besetting the party should be handled within its own
statutes and resolved among its members.
"The courts have no authority over this matter," Samba said.
Trimoelja, recipient of the 1995 Yap Thiam Hien human rights
award, rejected Samba's claim. "This is like a family squabble
that cannot be left to its own devices, so legal channels are the
best alternative the party has," he said.
In Yogyakarta, about 100 students from Young Fighters for
Democracy demonstrated at the Gadjah Mada University campus in
support of Megawati.
The youths also called for unconditional release of activists
of the unrecognized Democratic People's Party Budiman Sudjatmiko
and Dita Indah Sari, and labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan.
All three have been charged with subversion and defaming the
President. Subversion carries a maximum penalty of death.
"The New Order regime has stripped away people's political,
human and democratic rights," the demonstrators charged.
They released a statement calling for an end to the
persecution of the activists. They also criticized the 1985 laws
on politics.
They demanded Soerjadi be taken to court for allegedly
fomenting the July 27 riots, anu the government reinstate
Megawati as the rightful leader of the party.
"The fact that Soerjadi has not been tried proves this is a
'subversive crime' of the administration," they said. (25/23/01)