Jakarta – Hundreds of activists gathered a mere 500 metres from the parliament grounds today protested while the Golkar Party held the second day of it's annual leader's meeting.

The activists rejected the party as a remnant of the dictatorial Suharto regime, called for Golkar to be disbanded and party flags hung to publicise the event were ripped down and burnt in four enormous bonfires. Six activists were arrested and may be jailed for the action.

While the House of Representatives was heating up after the President disregarded their attempts to call him to account for sacking two Ministers in April, things were heating up outside today.

Around 70 activists from the People's Democratic Party (PRD) began the day with a long march from Jakarta's main roundabout, from the Jakarta Hilton Hotel, to the grounds of the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) were Golkar members had assembled for the day's proceedings.

Orators who addressed hundreds of PRD supporters and others in front of the assembly hall called for Golkar to be tried for crimes carried out under the dictatorial Suharto New Order regime when the party dominated Indonesian politics. Tens of PRD leaders, including party leader Budiman Sudjatmiko, were jailed during the Suharto era for subversion and many more kidnapped, tortured and disappeared for their political activities.

"We don't want chaos. We only want Golkar which has made the major contribution to the destruction of the nation to be brought to justice," said Natalia, head of the West Java branch of the People's Coalition for Democracy, an affiliate of the PRD. Other affiliated groups at the demo were Garda Bangsa, Elmas, Tradisi Forum and others.

PRD orators demanded the current government be freed of all New Order and "fake reformist" elements. "The attempts of New Order and fake reformist elements to politicise the current situation is extremely dangerous. They are a threat to democracy and the reform process. We do not want the people to be fooled. We will immediately block the power of the New Order and fake reformists," Natalia said.

The City Network (Jaringan Kota, Jarkot) also came out in force at the JCC and the crowd spread to the parliament today. They demanded Golkar be disbanded and for Golkar parliamentarians to step down from their posts. At the parliament, activists called for the House of Representatives to disburse the party at a Special Session of the full parliament. Security personnel assembled in front of the hall, stretching some 100 meters, took no action against the protesters.

At around 2.30pm, activists set out to tear down and collect all Golkar paraphernalia hung around the JCC and along Jl. Gatot Subroto, one of the city's main roads. Traffic came to a standstill as students zigzagged across the road. After collecting hundreds of different sized banners in a small van, on bikes or hauling them on their backs back to the grounds, four huge bonfires were lit. As the masses of yellow burned, activists cried "The People United Will End Golkar."

Although the demonstrators neither threatened security forces nor let the situation get out of hand, when the bonfires began to die down police and guards descended on the crowd which sent them scurrying through the allies and rows of foodstalls at the site.

Six demonstrators were eventually caught and taken to the Jakarta City Police Detective Unit building in a Rapid Response Unit vehicle. The six arrested were Agus Said Pelu, Edwin Lubis, Ramli, Teguh, Willem Max and Abdul Said and most were seen being beaten and were bleeding from the hands and face when taken away.

Senior Superintendent Harry Montolalu of the detective unit said the six might be charged over the incident. "They can be slapped with criminal charges because destroying and burning is covered in the Criminal Code. But actually burning political party's flags is outlined in the election laws, I forget the penalty," he said.

Detik sources attending the Golkar meeting claimed the day's proceedings had not be disturbed by the protest. Nevertheless, as the annual session of the parliament approaches in mid August, the chance that groups such as the PRD and Jarkot will muster greater public support increases by the day.