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)