Thousands hold rally for govt

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of politically-well connected organizations and religious groups held a rally yesterday to pledge their allegiance to the government and denounce "anti-New Order groups".

Donning the respective uniforms of their organizations, several thousand people filled the eastern parking lot of the Senayan Sports Complex in Central Jakarta. They read out a statement, which, among other things, called for strong action against members of the allegedly leftist organizations that have been accused by the government of masterminding the violent rioting that broke out on July 27.

The rally organizers, who had expected to gather 50,000 people, then presented a five-point declaration to government representatives.

"We condemn the anarchic and brutal riots, the destruction and other destructive actions on July 27, 1996. We ask the government and the Armed Forces to take action against the rioters and the mastermind in accordance with the law," the group said in the statement read out by Harianto Badjoeri, the rally's chief organizer.

The parking area, usually reserved for driving lessons or outdoor concerts, began filling up with banners as people gathered for the rally around 9 a.m.

"We urge the government to immediately outlaw the Democratic People's Party (PRD) and other groups which have clearly used the concept and actions of the (outlawed) Indonesian Communist Party," said Harianto, who was clad in the military-like uniform of the Panca Marga Youth organization.

The declaration called on everyone to beware of "anti-New Order groups" and their campaigns.

After reading the declaration, which was signed by 51 groups, Harianto then presented it to former Jakarta vice-governor Eddie M. Nalapraya as a representative of the community.

Eddie then handed over the declaration to the speaker of the city council, M.H. Ritonga, who then gave it to Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.

The ceremony lasted just 35 minutes.

Apart from city officials, several high ranking military officers were also present. They were Armed Forces Chief of Social and Political Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, and Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata.

The rally was a show of support for the government, which has accused organizations like the PRD of exploiting the internal rift within the Indonesian Democratic Party and inciting the riot on July 27.

Several PRD members have been arrested by the military, though their leader, Budiman Sudjatmiko, remains in hiding.

Later in the afternoon, Syarwan Hamid told journalists that the rally was proof that anti-government protesters did not represent the aspirations of the people.

"There might be a demonstration of one or two thousand people (by the anti-government groups) but they don't really represent the population," said Syarwan.

"No one can claim they represent the wishes or use the name of the people just like that," he added, referring to some of the anti-government groups which claim to represent the masses.

Syarwan said that the rally should be regarded as having represented a broader spectrum of people.

Meanwhile, Eddie M. Nalapraya said that, based on the tactics of the PRD and the ideas outlined in its literature: "I have come to the conclusion that the PRD is a reincarnation of the PKI (Indonesian Communist Party)."

Returning to his home after the event Eddie described the rally as "one way to prevent the influence of the PRD from spreading." (mds/32)