Women protest harassment in Purbalingga incident

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)