Why PDI rallies are violence-free

YOGYAKARTA: Bantul Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) officials were not flattered when the election supervision committee declared it the most orderly in campaigning.

PDI's rivals, Golkar and the United Development Party (PPP), were reprimanded for frequently breaching electioneering rules.

Everybody frowned upon hearing Bantul PDI secretary Lunggi Santoso say, "We are glad PDI members did not violate any law. The truth is, we did not campaign."

It is understood that PDI Bantul chose not to campaign for fear of physical clashes with loyalists of Megawati Soekarnoputri, who boycotted the campaign and threatened to disrupt rallies by their rival faction.

So scared were supporters of the unpopular government-backed PDI chief Soerjadi that one rally was attended by only seven people. They were guarded by three trucks of soldiers. (38/pan)