Thousands hold rally for govt

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)