INDONESIA: JAKARTA: PROTESTS AGAINST WAHID'S APPOINTMENT

Описание: (20 Oct 1999) Natural Sound

There were scenes of anarchy in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, after Wednesday's presidential vote.

A mob of at least ten thousand supporters of defeated presidential candidate Megawati threw rocks and petrol bombs after they were blocked from marching on Parliament.

Indonesian security forces replied with tear gas and warning shots.

Before Wednesday's vote supporters of Megawati Sukarnoputri had been warning they would exact revenge if their candidate did not win the presidency and they kept their promise.

This man threatened police with a pistol, miraculously he escaped without being shot.

The clashes started after ten thousand of Megawati's supporters were barred from marching on parliament.

The riot police and the rioters formed two lines about 500 metres (yards) away from the building.

The rioters used petrol bombs, broken concrete, metal poles, sticks, anything they could lay their hands on.

The police replied with tear gas and warning shots.

Visible among the rioters were security guards from Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle, wearing black and red uniforms.

One policeman was caught by the mob and only escaped what could have been a fatal beating after members of the security force led him away.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The frustration of Megawati's supporters is understandable.

Her party has the largest number of seats in the parliament.

Her supporters feel she is entitled to the presidency and many had expected her to win.
Wahid's victory was only secured after the present president, B-J Habibie, pulled out of the race and his party switched their support.

Both Wahid and Megawati appealed for calm soon after the result of the election by the 700-member People's Consultative Assembly was announced.

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