Women in Surakarta loyal to Megawati
By Haryoso
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Some people are loyal forever, especially to a leader under pressure.
This is the case for about 50 women in the Central Java town of Surakarta. They have declared their unwavering loyalty to the ousted Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chief, Megawati Soekarnoputri. They help guard the PDI branch office on Brengosan village day and night as a token of support for Megawati.
The women take turns to supply the men on night watch with food and drinks. On Monday or Thursday evenings, they pray together for Megawati so that she has the strength and patience to face adversity.
One of the women, Sudarwati, 53, told The Jakarta Post that she often volunteered to guard the branch office with her friends.
"I join the guards at the office because I want to prove my loyalty to Megawati. Her fate is that of the women in Indonesia who are always on the losing side and who are pushed aside if they want to show their ability," said Sudarwati.
"I know who Megawati is. She struggles for all of us... for the underprivileged, like the poor and women," said Sudarwati.
Sulasmi, 44, another loyal Megawati supporter, shares Sudarwati's feelings. The roadside vendor takes snacks and drinks to the PDI office twice a week to her friends on guard there.
"I do it solely because of my loyalty to Megawati's struggle," she said. "Who would not be upset about Megawati's lot?"
Suparjan, 40, another supporter, is a member of the PDI task force. He finds peace and quiet when he spends the night guarding the office with his friends.
"We share the same lot, that's why we are united in guarding the office." he said. "We even collect money between us to repair the office. That is the only way we can support Megawati. We still hope that she will lead the PDI again."
He said, "I hope Indonesia's future leader will be a woman ... so we will truly enjoy a more peaceful and equitable life in the economic, political, social and legal domains."
Political observer Susilo Utomo of Semarang's Diponegoro University said the attitude and behavior of Megawati's loyal supporters was understandable. "Their thoughts are pure and straightforward in their assessment of political conditions," he said.
Megawati supporters, especially the women, respond to Megawati's problems in a moral, non-political, way. Because of this, Megawati's defeat was a touching and even tearful experience for them, he said.
"This shows that our people are already politically aware and want a leader of their choice. Megawati has been a topic of discussion for the little people in the villages," he said.
Many people now speak of Megawati's future, and what problems await her and the PDI, he said. "They are concerned about Megawati's lot and still hope she will re-emerge as the PDI's leader," he said.
"Indeed, if there are no obstacles ahead, Megawati could become the PDI's leader," he said. "The 1997 general election has shown that the government-backed PDI (led by) Soerjadi has lost unequivocally and taken a dive in the Indonesian political scene."
"I hope therefore that Megawati can in future mend the cracks in the PDI's internal organization," he said. "And hopefully, if she is elected chairperson, she will be recognized formally (by the government). May this hope come true, and not remain a dream."