Posted by Eddy S. on Friday, 9. October 1998 at 07:00 Bali Time:
TENS of thousands of red-and-black-clad supporters of Megawati
Sukarnoputri jammed the streets of the Balinese resort of Sanur
yesterday to hear the ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party
(PDI) make a declaration of her presidential ambitions.
In an emotional speech, in which she twice appeared close to tears, Ms
Megawati condemned President B.J. Habibie for neglecting Indonesia's
mass of new poor, and gave the most detailed outline yet of the
platform she would take to national elections scheduled for next May.
Before a sea of high-spirited supporters, numbering as many as 50,000,
she pledged that in government she would maintain an open economy
despite a growing tendency to blame the free market for Indonesia's
dramatic reversal for fortune.
Promising that Indonesia would continue to welcome foreign investment,
she told the crowd not to fear the revival of "neo-colonialist
practices" if "openness and democracy are upheld".
Ms Megawati's speech launched a three-day congress at a beachside
resort hotel in Sanur, during which her unofficial PDI faction will
finalise plans to fight the elections.
The congress is expected to approve the creation of a new party, PDI
(Pejuangan), or PDI Struggle.
Ms Megawati was ousted from leadership of the official PDI during a
government-backed congress in 1996. Attempts to enforce that move with
the eviction of the Megawati faction from PDI headquarters in Jakarta
prompted fierce riots.
Although legal efforts to regain the leadership have so far failed, Ms
Megawati has reinforced her claim to be a popular choice for party
leader with the impressive show of force in Bali.
Dressed in T-shirts stamped with images of Megawati and her father,
founding president Sukarno, youthful supporters have taken over the
streets.
Despite the enthusiasm of the rank and file, organisers of the
congress had by last night succeeded in their goal of keeping the
peace.
The congress of the official PDI in Palau two months ago was cut short
after clashes between Megawati backers and riot police. Dr Habibie had
earlier refused permission for Ms Megawati's congress on the grounds
that an outbreak of violence in Bali could severely damage tourism. He
later relented.
Senior party figures hope the congress will agree on the creation of a
new party, develop a strategy for the elections and start to build a
framework for policy.
Two persistent criticisms, inside and outside the Megawati camp, have
been that Ms Megawati has failed to show she has a grasp of policy and
that she has been too reserved in her leadership. Her speech yesterday
may help dispel some doubts.
The article above from someone (Australian) in Sanur.
Regards
Eddy S.