Riot police forcibly dispersed a pro-democracy demonstration supporting Megawati Sukarnoputri in Indonesia, highlighting the ongoing political tensions and challenges to democratic expression during this period.
Their was an attack by Indonesian government forces on the head office of the Indonesian Democratic Party, which was being occupied by supporters of recently ousted party leader Megawati Sukarnoputri. It was followed by two days of riots in Jakarta.
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By 1996, support for the PDI was increasing among intellectuals, middle class city-dwellers and low income Jakartans. Some of Megawati's supporters urged her to run for the presidency.
The Indonesian military subsequently intervened in an extraordinary PDI conference held in Medan from 20 to 24 June to depose Megawati, and reappoint former leader Soerjadi, who was seen as less of a threat.
Then 5,000 people attended a demonstration in support of Megawati in Jakarta – some wearing "Megawati for President" t-shirts. Over 70 were injured in clashes with police and soldiers.
In Medan, Soerjadi was duly elected party chair, but Megawati and her followers refused to recognize this, and launched a legal challenge.
The PDI split into two factions, the government-recognized PDI led by Soerjadi recognized by the government, and the "PDI Mega" supported by the by grassroots membership.