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PRD: It's pointless for PDIP masses to confront demonstrators

Detik.com - February 24, 2003

Hestiana Dharmastuti, Jakarta – Threats by the Minister of Labour and Transmigration, Jacob Nuwa Wea, in which he called for demonstrators to end their actions, if not they will face Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) masses, has been greeted by cynicism. According to the People's Democratic Party (PRD), the PDIP masses do not have an ideology to strike back at opposition groups.

"It is meaningless, the PDIP masses do not have the ideology to strike back at opposition groups. Although 1000 PDIP supporters can be mobilised, at most their political strength is only 10", PRD chairperson, Haris Rusli Moti told detikcom in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to Haris, Jacob's threats reveal the anger of the government of President Megawati Sukarnoputri and Vice-president Hamzah Haz who are incapable to implementing the mandate of reformasi. "This is thuggery. We only ask that the agenda of reformasi be implemented and if they are not capable, then [they should] resign. So don't confront us with repression. This means that that PDIP is anti-democratic", he said.

Despite this, Haris explained that the PRD would continue to hold future actions although they may confront the PDIP masses. "We will continue to demonstrate until the demands for reformasi are fulfilled. Moreover, we are voicing the aspirations of the PDIP masses, the majority of which are unemployed and are paid to demonstrate", he said.

Furthermore, the PRD is prepared to hold an open dialogue and debate with Jacob to present these aspirations. "We are ready to have a dialogue and debate in the interests of the long-term. But there must some outcome and not just to hush the demonstrations", asserted Haris.

Aside from this, Haris considered that it is proper if during demonstrations activist trample on photographs of the president and vice-president. "This has occurred since the era of [former president] Suharto though to [the period of former president] Gus Dur. Why during Mega's term are demonstrators being arrested, this represents a democratic retreat", said Haris.

[Translated by James Balowski.]