[The following are translations of a number of reports on the July 26 and 27 commemoration actions held in Jakarta and sent to ASIET by the underground Peoples Democratic Party (PRD). Please note that these reports were compiled, posted and translated within hours of the actions and an overall picture of what transpired remains unclear]
July 27 commemoration rally attacked by military in Pancoran
All of those going to Jl. [Jalan, Street, Road] Diponegoro [for the commemoration rally] were blocked by the military. However they attempted to find an alternative route. A section of them began gathering at the Ruput Market. Initially there were only 500 people but hundreds tried to break through the blockade.
The military beat back those trying to break through. In the end they turned back and rallied towards Megawati's house in Kebangusan, Pasar Minggu. When they arrived at the Pancoran (South Jakarta) intersection, they were attacked by the military.
In order to save themselves, they ran into the kampungs [urban villages]. It is unclear how many were wounded or arrested by the military.
Once again therefore, we call for solidarity actions for those victims of the military brutality in this action. They can be in the form of mass actions, statements and letters of protest.
Roy BB Janis lies to the masses
This morning, Sunday July 27, the masses who wanted to commemorate "Bloody July 27" gathered at Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta. Thousands arrived from Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-Bekasi (Jabotabek) and from other cities such as Lampung, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Purwokerto, Surabaya and other cities.
Although they passionately recalled the brutality of the military one year ago – which resulted in the many victims from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), pro-democracy groups and others – they were ordered to return home by Roy BB. Janis. Roy BB Janis is a Jakarta PDI leader. Roy lied to them, saying that Megawati Sukarnoputri would not be able to come to Jl. Diponegoro. In reality, Megawati still wanted to come.
As a result, many of them were tricked and went home. But they then returned after they knew that Mbak [Big Sister] Mega would not fail to come.
It is not clear what was behind Roy BB Janis's actions. What is clear is that many were angered and some were of the opinion that Roy was frightened by the military. There were others who believed that Roy has never been consistent because he has often done this kind of thing.
Actions of this kind are extremely damaging to the struggle. It is as if Roy does not understand that there have already been many victims from the PDI, pro-democracy groups and others in the support of his party in upholding democracy. But his actions have confused and divided the movement.
However, this time the commemoration of "Bloody July 27" has attracted the enthusiasm of the people and many have been attacked and arrested by the military for making this event a success. As we all know, this even has found resistance from the military and all of the pro-democratic forces have tried their best to organise it. But it has been disrupted by the irresponsibility of a PDI leader.
'Bloody July 27' action: Dr. Rifka Ciptaning arrested
As well as well as attacking the rally and arresting a number of pro-democracy activists, the military also arrested a PDI figure, Dr Rifka Ciptaning. Ciptaning was arrested along with 70 Tangerang PDI members who lead a PDI rally from Tangerang near Cawang-UKI. Ciptaning is currently being held by the East Jakarta police.
Ciptaning is a representative of the pro-Megawati PDI in Tangerang. It is one of the most active and radical figures in the PDI. Last may, his health clinic was raided and closed by the military, and until now has not reopened. The grounds for the raid were because a number of it's supporters were arrested distributing Mega-Star-People leaflets during the 1997 election campaign.
Last July, he lead a mass action to the national parliament rejecting the results of the 1997 elections. According to Ciptaning, the elections were invalid and must be rejected. The action was met by members of the pro-Megawati fraction including Soetardjo Soerjaguritno, Sukowaluy, Haryanto Taslam and I Gedhe Ngurah Sara.
Ciptaning was present at the time of the attack on the PDI offices by thugs paid by the military. As a doctor, he opened a clinic at the offices after the free speech forums were started until the offices were attacked. At the time of the attack, many were wounded and attended to by Ciptaning. Although he was arrested and his jeep set fire to by thugs, he was not tried.
All pro-democratic forces should provide solidarity for the arrested pro-democracy figures and especially for Ciptaning. They can be in the form of statements, letters of protest and actions/ delegations to involved parties.
Kelik and Kris who were arrested during the confrontation with the military were arrested with four others who arrived from Surabaya. One other person, Sadeli from Lampung, was also arrested by the military.
'Bloody July 27' commemoration action attacked and arrests made
[Written 9.43am, Sunday July 27]
This morning, Sunday July 27, the Indonesian people commemorated a day of mourning for democracy. In the capital city and other cities a number of events were organised to recall the brutality of the military. The people organised joint prayers, discussions and free speech rallies.
In the capital city, last night (Saturday, July 26), the Cipayung Student Group organised a commemoration of "Bloody July 27" at the secretariat of PMKRI in Menteng. But the event was broken up by the police on the excuse that it did not have a permit. Five people were arrested by the South Jakarta police and a number of participants had their identification cards sized.
This morning, a rally to the PDI office at Jl. Diponegoro 58 was attacked by the military. Two people, Kelik and Cris, were arrested by the military. Others rallying from Tanjung Priok (North Jakarta) and Cawang in East Jakarta were also attacked and dispersed. Mass rallies in Jl. Selemba (Central Jakarta) were also attacked but they resisted. A riot occurred between the pro-democratic demonstrators and soldiers.
Abridged chronology of the 'Bloody July 27' commemoration
[Written Sunday July 27, 12noon]
I. Saturday Night, July 26, Megawati's house, Kebagusan, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta
10pm - As many as 10,000 gathered at Kebangusan for the commemoration. Together they chanted "Viva Mega! Viva Mega! Viva Mega!". There were no uniformed military present but plain clothed officers were deployed among the crowd at Megawati's house. Meanwhile, around the PDI offices at Jl. Diponegoro, the military had already been deployed in anticipation of a mass action.
11.15am - The meeting had been over for some time and there was no other activities to follow so those at Kebagusan either went home or prepared for the action at Jl. Diponegoro. What was clear from the talk was that there would not be a rally from Kebagusan to Jl. Diponegoro, not because they were afraid or threatened, but because of organisational problems, that is it was some distance away by foot.
1.10pm - An Inti Jaya journalist reported that five PRD members had been captured at Blok M (South Jakarta). Although this could not be confirmed, there were many armed soldiers at Blok M.
6.15pm - The masses at Kebagusan were ready to go to Jl. Diponegoro. Then there was a group of people (possibly they were infiltrated by intelligence officers) who pressured the PDI leadership and masses to quickly hold and finish the action (on the ground that it would not disturb public security and not be exploited by other groups), so there would be no bloodshed or confrontation at Jl. Diponegoro.
II. Rally to the PDI offices at Jl. Diponegoro, Sunday, July 27
7am - The area around Jl. Mataram was already guarded by hundreds of soldiers planning to block a rally to the PDI offices.
7.15am - Like the previous night and at Jl. Mataram, many soldiers were deployed at Jl. Diponegoro and the Proclamation Monument. At Jl. Diponegoro, hundreds of people slowly gathered – at the same time hundreds of PDI members who apparently came from East Jakarta gathered around UKI-Cawang.
7.30am - Around 60 people from the East Jakarta PDI offices moved off to the rally but they were turned back by the military in the direction of Cilitian.
8.15am - The masses began to gather in a number of areas of Cawan. At Superland there were around 15 people gathering from Tangerang and a number of other areas in front of the small lanes along the street.
8.25am - The PDI masses rallying from East Jakarta were turned back by the military and a confrontation ensued, one person who's name is unknown from "Solidarity Mega" was arrested.
8.40am - Although there were many coming from Tanjung Priok towards Cawang they were blocked and attacked by the military but the situation is as yet unclear. A confrontation occurred in the area of Selemba involving those who had came from Bogor (West Java). The confrontation resulted in two people from the National Committee for Democratic Struggle (Komite Nasional Perjuangan Demokrasi, KNPD), Kris and Kelik being arrested. At the time of writing this cronology, their whereabouts are still unknown. Around Cawang, the military presence became even tighter and they began checking identity cards of those heading towards Jl. Diponegoro.
9.02am - The masses who were at Suparland had already been attacked by the military who chased them as they tried to find safety in the small lanes. Kampung Melayu was tightly guarded and blocked by the military so they could not leave, the aim being to separate those who were rallying to Cawang and Jatinegara. As a result they were not able to meet up.
9.10am - The masses at Cawang gathered together and consolidated themselves in front of the Vincentius Church for a rally.
9.20am - In the area of UKI a confrontation occurred with the military, it is not clear who they were. Meanwhile the military tried to breakup PDI masses from Otista. One person from Tangerang was arrested.
9.43am - The masses at the Nusantara (Jatinegara) cinema headed towards Jl. Diponegoro and the military tried to break them up.
9.57 - A number of times confrontations occurred between the people and the military at Jl. Diponegoro. The military tried to break up the growing number of people when they tried to enter the PDI offices.
10.05am - The masses at Jl. Diponegoro continued to try to find an opportunity to break through the military blockade.
10.22am - PDI members from East Jakarta wearing PDI emblems, Mega and Agus carrying a PDI flag were arrested at the Cikini train station by special train police.
10.45am - Around 500 gathered at the Ruput Market and spontaneously moved off to rally at Jl. Diponegoro. A free speech forum was held and they chanted "Viva Mega" and "Viva the People".
[Translated by James Balowski]