By Max Lane
The Indonesian military has increased its propaganda attacks against jailed union leader Dita Sari and her political party, the People's Democratic Party (PRD). Dita Sari (26) was detained on July 8 following the PRD's 20,000-worker demonstration for wage increases and democratic reform.
The chief of the East Java military security command, Major General Imam Utomo, was quoted in newspapers later as accusing the PRD of being "the descendants of people with a socialist ideology". Utomo also stated, "We have discovered that there are those indeed who are trying to revive the socialist movement. They do not accept that the two million people of the Indonesian Communist Party should have been massacred by the New Order regime."
This is the first time that a prominent opposition figure under arrest has been accused of being communist or socialist since the smashing of the Communist Party during 1965-8.
Despite these attacks and Dita Sari's continuing detention, the PRD has not let up on its offensive for democratic reform.
On July 22, the PRD issued a new political manifesto during a ceremony attended by 300 people, including Indonesian and foreign media, at the Jakarta Legal Aid Centre. The PRD also issued human rights awards to: Xanana Gusmao; West Papuan hero Thomas Wanggai; Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) president Megawati Sukarnoputri; liberal Islamic leader Abdurrahman Wahid; rebel ex-parliamentarian Sri Bintang Pamungkas, currently appealing a seven-year sentence handed out by Suharto's political courts; Tempo magazine; Indonesia's outstanding writer, Pramoedya Ananta Toer; progressive publishing house Hasta Mitra; and dissident academic Dr George Aditjondro.
An East Timorese youth leader attended on behalf of Xanana Gusmao and the National Council of Maubere Resistance, and students from the Irian Jaya Student-Youth Forum received the award for Thomas Wanggai.
PRD's president, Budiman Sujatmiko, introduced the new PRD manifesto, summing up the PRD's immediate campaign demands. These are: repeal of the five basic political laws controlling political parties and mass organisations and allowing appointed members of parliament; the end of any role for the military in political affairs; free elections; the nomination of Megawati Sukarnoputri as a presidential candidate; and a referendum for the people of East Timor. The PRD also reaffirmed its commitment to the struggle for a minimum wage of Rp7000 ($4.60) per day for factory workers.
On the same day, the Yogyakarta PRD branch, the local PDI, PDI Youth and NGOs held a demonstration at the Gajah Mada University under the banner of the Megawati Support Movement. Several hundred people assembled outside the campus entrance, which was blocked by four truckloads of anti-riot military. Other entrances were also blocked by the military.
Following speeches by local PRD leader, Ojie, the crowd attempted to enter the campus. As the crowd approached the main entrance, a leader of the New Nationalist Union also spoke, encouraging the masses to move forward. Activists circulated the Yogyakarta PRD bulletin, People's Spirit, which resulted in many bystanders joining the march down the boulevard towards the main entrance. The crowd grew from several hundred to over 1500.
When the marchers reached the entrance, they surged forward against the three rows of military blocking the road. Several protesters received minor injuries, while some soldiers lost their batons to the protesters. The protesters eventually retreated and, after resolving to continue the actions, dispersed in an orderly fashion.