Women's Day program disrupted
SURABAYA (JP): Megawati Sukarnoputri, ousted chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), deplored yesterday violent police action in dispersing a meeting of her supporters to commemorate Women's Day Sunday in Pasuruan, East Java.
Megawati said she could not understand why police prohibited people gathering for peaceful purposes.
"Security forces always suspect my visit to any region is an effort to create upheaval. Actually, the purpose of my visit is to calm people down who are losing their trust in the monetary crisis, and the leadership crisis," Megawati said in Surabaya yesterday morning.
Megawati supporters started out Sunday morning by holding a leadership course in front of the PDI branch office in Raci, Pasuruan.
Indonesian Women's Day fell yesterday.
But as they prepared the venue for the afternoon ceremony, a police brigade led by chief of the Pasuruan police precinct Lt. Col. Wisnu A.S. ordered a stop to their activities.
"We do not have any objection to them wanting to commemorate a national day. But they must follow all necessary procedures," Wisnu said without elaborating.
About an hour later, dozens of people appeared and forcibly removed the chairs, tents and banners which had been set up for the event.
Several Megawati supporters tried to stop them, resulting in a minor tussle as chairs were thrown around.
Several police officers were on hand, but they reportedly did nothing to stop the skirmish.
Megawati said yesterday she was not surprised by the incident as police use any method to suppress her activities.
Megawati is the daughter of the country's founding father and first president Sukarno. Backed up by the government, Megawati's opponents ousted her as chairwoman of PDI in an extraordinary Congress in June 1996.
In Jakarta, Vice President Try Sutrisno led a national ceremony yesterday to commemorate Women's Day at the Jakarta Convention Center.
"There is no doubt of our women's capabilities because they play a role in all aspects of development, and many of them even surpass men's achievements," said Try.
The Vice President urged Indonesian women to prepare their children for the future by giving them a proper education and keeping them away from negative influences so their children can face the challenges of the coming century.
"We must continuously remind our children of the danger of narcotics, X-rated films, and violent and immoral behavior," said Try.
The ceremony was also attended by Try's wife Tuti Sutrisno, State Minister for Women's Roles Mien Sugandhi, Minister of Information R. Hartono, Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas. (nur/prb)