Megawati Instructs PDIP Cadres to Restrain from Destructive Behavior

Semarang, Central Java (Antara) - Chairman of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri has instructed all party cadres to refrain from indulging in destructive activities. She made the statement after hundreds of PDIP supporters had sealed the Yogyakarta office of the private TV station, TVOne, on Wednesday (July 2) night, for allegedly broadcasting a report linking PDIP to communism. In Indonesia, people are strongly against the idea of communism. In 1965, the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was believed to have abducted and tortured people. Since then, the party has been banned in Indonesia. "PDIP members will never be violent. As long as I am chairman of this party, I will never instruct party cadres to attack other parties or people," Megawati said at a press conference on Thursday. However, Megawati criticized several media who broadcast or spread provocative information and discredited her party and Jokowi. "Media must spread positive and informative news. We have found several media who have tried to discredit our party. We have gathered evidence, but no significant action has been taken by the police so far," Megawati said. Meanwhile, chief of campaign team for Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla pair, Tjahjo Kumolo, said he had sent a letter of protest to TV One regarding their report on linking PDIP to communism. "We have sent a letter of protest to TV One because we feel that the TV station has discredited us," Tjahjo said. According to him, the report made by TV One was biased, baseless, and defamatory. "Until now, PDIP remains a political party based on five principles of Pancasila," Tjahjo said. PDIP is the major political party of the coalition that has nominated Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, and his running mate Jusuf Kalla (JK) as the presidential and vice presidential candidates in the upcoming presidential election. (*) Reported by Wisnu Adhi N Translated and Edited by Amie Fenia Arimbi