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.