Jakarta – A People's Democratic Party (PRD) demonstration in front of the National Election Commission (KPU) building [on June 1], demanding the disqualification of Golkar because of a number of violation in the 1999 elections, was violently broken up by police. As well as shooting at demonstrators, the police also kicked and beat them. As a result at least nine people suffered serious gun shot wounds and 28 others were seriously hurt as a result of being trampled on, beaten and kicked. These are the first shooting victims by police in Jakarta since the June 7 elections. The incident also falls on the 53 anniversary of the National Police force.
In Jakarta, a commemoration was attended by armed forces chief General Wiranto. The commemoration was the first since the police were separated from the structure of the armed forces. In its mandate, Wiranto said [the police] must try to become more professional and remember that their role as the upholders of the law must be placed as the highest priority.
Jakarta police chief, Major General Nugroho Djayusman, who met with the head of the KPU, Rudini, at the KPU offices, said that nine police officers were slightly wounded. He added that four demonstrators had been arrested and were being held at the Jakarta police headquarters.
The demonstration was involved around 500 PRD activists who marched peacefully from Jalan Salemba Raya [Central Jakarta]. During the march security forces did not interfere, even when they approached the KPU building which was being guarded by around 20 police officers.
The PRD activists demanded to be allowed to enter the KPU building however the request was rejected and the KPU would only agreeing to allow 15 representatives to enter. The PRD activists rejected the offer and threatened to break through the KPU gates, if after half-an-hour they were still refused entry. While they waited the PRD activists gave speeches. [Well known] PRD activists such as Andi Arief and Faisol Reza, the chairperson of the Central Leadership Committee of the PRD as well as the KPU representative from the PRD, Hendry Kwok appeared.
The speeches condemned the large Golkar vote and the People's Consultative Assembly seats which are appointed. They also reminded supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle that it was still uncertain if Megawati would become president and even that Golkar and their allies had an opportunity to return to power.
They called on the people, reform parties and the student movement to demonstrate to demand Golkar be disqualified and the reform parties which win the election carry out an agenda of total reform. The PRD also rejected the nomination of B.J. Habibie as president so that the New Order regime would not continue.
The incident started very suddenly. Only several moments after pushing and shoving between demonstrators and the police began, the sound of gun shots were herd, followed by a volley of shots. As the demonstrators tried to escape, police continued to shoot at them, chase and beat them with cane sticks. Demonstrators responded by throwing rocks, bottles and any other objects which could be found.
Police beat demonstrators with clubs, kinking and trampling on the victims. They even beat demonstrators who were cornered and bare handed.
One of the victims, a woman named Dhyta Caturrani (24) was seriously wounded. A journalist asked that Dhyta be put in a car [to be taken to hospital] but not one member of the KPU members would lend them a vehicle.
Finally Dhyta was given help at the Indian Cultural Centre which is next to the KPU building, while eight other victims were taken by car to the nearest hospital. Using riot shields, police pushed the PRD demonstrators away from the KPU building in the direction of Jalan Cokroaminoto, in the direction of the Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said overpass. A clash occurred in front of the Yugoslavian and Iranian Embassy, with around 40 people throwing rocks at police.
After throwing rocks and other hard objects, bit by bit the situation calmed down with police formed a barricade in front of the Yugoslavian Embassy. Meanwhile PRD activists carried two of the victims to the Metropolitan Medical Centre. Panji (24), was shot in the left side while Yeyen Supriyatna (30) was injured as a result of being beaten and trampled on by police.
The head of the Central Jakarta county police, Lieutenant Colonel Iman Haryatna, who was at the location told reporters that the police were forced to take security measures after the PRD demonstrations began pushing and shoving security personnel. Haryatna showed the press a PRD flag on a pole wrapped with barbed wire, bows and arrows and the remains of a spilt bottle which he claimed had been filled with hydrochloric acid.
At a press conference at the Indonesian Legal Aid office last night, Faisol Riza said that 28 PRD members had been wounded and were being treated at a number of public hospitals. "They were victims of beatings and shootings", said Faisol, who was accompanied by Wilson (another PRD leader), his lawyer Apong Herlina and Munir, [head of the Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence]. Faisol rejected the statement by police that they had found bows and arrows. "That is the same kind of manipulation as occurred in the incident in Yogyakarta", adding that before [the demonstrators] left they had already been checked and did not have bows and arrows.
According to Apong Herlina, four PRD members had been arrested and taken to the Jakarta police headquarters. In their statement, the PRD demanded that the Indonesian police chief, General Roesmanhadi and Wiranto resign. Faisol said that the PRD would present a written protest to the police, armed forces and the KPU for the acts of violence against PRD demonstrators.
The secretary general of the National Mandate Party, Santoso regretted the shooting of the PRD demonstrators. With acts of that kind, according to Santoso, the police give the impression that they have not yet understood the demands of reformasi. "Those methods, are no different from those of the New Order. That is what we are ought to be sad about", he said.
National Awakening Party leader Matori Abdul Djalil said the shooting and beating of PRD activists showed that security personnel do not yet have a commitment to human rights and too often use violence in resolving problems.
Justice and Unity Party leader retired General Edi Sudradjat said no matter what the reason, the actions of the security forces could not be justified. "I [deeply] regret that the police must do [things like] that", he said.
[Translated by James Balowski]