People's Democratic Party calls for an end to New Order regime

May 20, 1998
Issue 

The following statement was issued from Jakarta by the national leadership committee of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) on May 14. It was translated for Green Left Weekly by James Balowski.

Today, students and other people rose up in a mass battle in Jabotabek [Jakarta-Bogor-Tengerang-Bekasi, the greater Jakarta industrial zone], while students in cities throughout the country held demonstrations. The people's battle in Jakarta is widespread and has paralysed the city. Hungry people are taking goods from the supermarkets and setting fire to buildings and vehicles.

The authorities have not been able to confront the people's resistance. Everywhere, the masses cannot be prevented from carrying out the attacks. Many in the armed forces are demoralised.

President Suharto has said that he is prepared to step down if the people do not support him. This indicates that the regime is cornered by the continued attacks on the dictatorship.

To the people

1. Do not let the rioting become an ethnic, religious, racial or inter-group conflict. We must not destroy, take from or kill our Chinese brothers and sisters. The source of the people's suffering is not the Chinese, but Suharto and the dictatorship. Many Chinese have also suffered and been oppressed by Suharto. The attacks and looting of our Chinese brothers and sisters will only weaken our struggle and benefit Suharto by becoming a battle between the people.

2. Focus the attacks and looting on what is owned by capitalists, the government, government officials and the armed forces. Don't damage or take that which is owned by your own people.

3. Rally to the centre of the city, to places like government offices, and the police and military headquarters.

To all pro-democratic figures

1. To Megawati [Sukarnoputri, ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party], Amien Rais [head of the Muslim mass organisation Muhammadiyah], Budiman Sujatmiko [jailed chairperson of the PRD], Sri Bintang Pamungkas [jailed chairperson of the Indonesian United Development Party] and others: It is time for you to state your readiness to replace Suharto. This must be done soon, because Suharto is no longer wanted by the people and is ready to step down.

2. We must reject collaboration with the armed forces. In a modern democracy, the military must not be allowed to meddle in political affairs. The political violence and the destruction of democracy in Indonesia are a result of allowing the military to enter the world of politics, legitimised by the dual function of the armed forces.

3. We must quickly prepare an independent people's council to replace the parliament and the People's Consultative Assembly [which "elects" the president].

To the soldiers and civil servants

1. Remove your uniforms and join with the people. It is time for you to abandon Suharto.

To the New Order dictatorship

1. End the brutal actions against the people. The destruction which has occurred so far has been a result of repressive actions by the military. If the students and people are given permission to hold a rally, they will do it in a peaceful manner.

2. President Suharto must step down. Don't let his latest statement that he is prepared to step down be just political rhetoric.

3. The commander of the armed forces, the military and police commanders of Jakarta must step down, because they have taken brutal action against students and the people and can no longer carry out their functions.

4. The armed forces must end their activities in the political arena, because the involvement of the armed forces in political matters has resulted in the death of democracy and political violence.

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