Women protest harassment in Purbalingga incident
JAKARTA (JP): About 20 women grouped in Solidaritas Wanita Indonesia protested the harassment of women at last week's Golkar function in Purbalingga, Central Java, at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Central Jakarta.
Spokeswomen Rani Zaman said witnesses at the event reported that several women who were Golkar supporters were victims of harassment.
Media reports had said people who appeared to be supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) had told both men and women to remove their yellow Golkar uniforms.
The group met with KPU deputy chairman Adnan Buyung Nasution, demanding the commission submit their concerns to the Election Supervisory Committee.
"We have to be aware of such treatment towards women," Rani said citing the possibility for further cases of alleged harassment during the campaign period slated for May 19 to June 4.
Rani also cited the murder of a young female activist from the Justice Party, who was strangled near her home in Ciputat, Tangerang last week. Her family has denied suggestions of a politically motivated killing.
Later in the day, a group of women from the Indonesian Women Congress (Kowani), which comprises 73 organizations, met with KPU chairman Rudini.
Kowani group leader Inne Soekaryo demanded that political parties whose followers were found guilty of violence and harassment be punished accordingly.
Responsibility
Rudini said until the commission's campaign code of conduct became effective -- when official campaigning starts -- it was the government's responsibility to take firm action against political parties instigating violence.
"At the moment, what KPU can do is urge all political parties against any early campaigns in the form of party gatherings such as meetings or anniversaries," the former minister of home affairs said.
Rudini also urged political parties not to blame each other over recent incidents such as the Purbalingga fray.
"The most important thing is that each party restrains itself and not demonstrate actions that could draw jealousy among parties and instigate unrest."
Chairman of the Central Java PDI Perjuangan, Suratal, said his party would be responsible if its supporters were found guilty.
"We have never instructed our members to instigate chaos or disturb other political parties," he told Antara on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman from Central Java's Golkar chapter, Sri Harini Soeprapto, said it was still difficult to persuade the harassment victims to testify, saying they were still traumatized.
"A special approach is needed to restore their confidence," Sri said in tears.
Golkar executives said they would gather evidence before deciding whether to sue PDI Perjuangan.
In Bandung, West Java, Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto urged the 48 political parties on Monday to step up control over their supporters.
"The incident cannot be solved just by trading accusations or filing lawsuits," he said after attending a ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ABRI's School of Staff and Command. (edt/43)