By Max Lane
Support for a boycott of the May 29 general elections in Indonesia is growing as the People's Democratic Party (PRD) and the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-Struggle) increase their level of protest.
On March 30, almost 1000 students from several universities in Jogjakarta marched to call for an election boycott if Megawati Sukarnoputri, elected head of the PDI, is not allowed to participate and if the army continues to interfere in politics. Army units blocked the march, but no arrests occurred.
On April 1, students and PDI supporters began a hunger strike and picket in solidarity with Megawati and for democratic reform. The picket was attacked by the military and one student was stabbed, another trampled and 24 arrested. On April 2, almost 1000 students rallied again to protest the arrest of their friends and to call for the release of all the PRD and other political prisoners. Eight more students were arrested and several injured when police anti-riot squads attacked the demonstration while it was still on campus.
On April 3, 11 student, worker and PDI-Megawati support groups sent a delegation to parliament with a statement expressing concern over recent arrests, the blocking of Megawati's electoral participation, and other electoral manipulations.
In Denpasar, Bali, clashes occurred on the same day between Megawati supporters and the security forces. Several hundred PDI supporters marched to the office of the puppet pro-Suharto PDI branch in Denpasar after a local court threw out an application for an injunction against the branch continuing to occupy the office. Police and military attacked the peaceful sit-down protest outside the office.
The Bali Legal Aid Institute reported that scores of people were taken to hospital, and the whereabouts of at least three PDI supporters who were dragged away by the police is still unknown.
Meanwhile, the transcript of an interview given by Megawati to Voice of America radio is being widely circulated. In it she states: "My instructions remain the same, that we should adhere to implementing the 12 official stages of the elections. We are now going through stages 8 and 9. In the end there will be the stages of the campaign and the election on May 29 itself. There is still plenty of time for the leadership to decide on its stance. But there are already many reports, many hopes and wishes, that if my name is not listed as a candidate, many people will decide not to participate in these elections."