Trying to recoup old glory, Golkar on the offensive

Trying to recoup old glory, Golkar on the offensive

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Five years ago, when the Golkar Party held its final round of
campaigning in Jakarta, The Jakarta Post reported that "residents
and onlookers jeered and stoned Golkar supporters during their
final campaign rallies in Jakarta and several provinces." At that
time, its supporters donned the party's attributes only at
campaign venues.

On Wednesday, Golkar appeared confident in its final round of
outdoor campaigning in Jakarta. Its supporters went so far as to
attack the campus of a private university in East Jakarta in
retaliation for a similar attack by the university's students
against party supporters.

Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung reminded the crowd at Blok S,
South Jakarta, of the glorious past when Soeharto and Golkar, as
his political vehicle, were in power for 32 years until
Soeharto's downfall in May 1998.

"Our economy was much better 10 years ago. It is evidence that
we can do a better job. It also shows that Golkar has enough
experience (to govern)," Akbar boasted.

Akbar, who was acquitted of corruption by the Supreme Court
last month, said he had his own recipe for eradicating rampant
corruption, but failed to elaborate.

"Golkar has prepared a strategy on how to eradicate
corruption," he said to about 7,000 supporters.

At least six dangdut singers, including well-known Vetty Vera,
entertained the crowd.

Meanwhile, the party also deployed three of its six
presidential hopefuls to campaign, such as media entrepreneur
Surya Paloh in West Jakarta, Gen. (ret) Wiranto in North Jakarta,
and businessman Aburizal Bakrie in East Jakarta.

Surya, who spoke at Kemanggisan soccer field, West Jakarta,
made a number of promises, including to reduce unemployment,
create a conducive climate for industrial growth, reduce foreign
loans and provide cheap education.

Even though thousands of supporters arrived at the soccer
field at 10 a.m., not all of them appeared enthusiast. Only those
close to the stage responded to slogans yelled by campaigners.

Wednesday's campaign was, however, marred by violence when
around 80 Golkar supporters attacked Mpu Tantular University in
Cipinang, East Jakarta, at 3 p.m. injuring at least 21 students.

A witness said the attack was revenge for Mpu Tantular
students blocking the route of Golkar supporters last week.

Meanwhile, about 10,000 supporters of the Christian-based
Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) assembled at a hockey field in South
Jakarta to listen to a campaign speech by party leader Ruyandi
Hutasoit.

Ruyandi, who is also a medical doctor at Indonesian Christian
University Hospital, criticized the government for its failure to
create job opportunities and reduce unemployment, despite the
progress in macroeconomic fundamentals.

"If PDS wins, we will create more jobs and reduce
unemployment," Ruyandi told supporters.

During the campaign, the PDS leader released 19 pigeons as the
party's symbol and asked supporters to raise their hands and pray
together for safe elections and peace throughout the country.

In Nganjuk, East Java, one Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI-P) supporter, Slamet, 20, was killed by a mob while
on his way home after attending an election rally.

Police refused to comment on the incident, saying that the
case was still under investigation.

In Yogyakarta, supporters of PDI-P clashed with the police.
Several motorcycles belonging to party supporters and police
officers were heavily damaged.

In Cirebon, West Java, thousands of Democratic Party
supporters were disappointed by the absence of party presidential
hopeful Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.