Women's Day program disrupted

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)