A STAGE stood on the huge parking lot of the Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java. Banners and flags for the National Mandate Party (PAN) were raised and a sound system was set in place. Officials expected thousands of party cadres and sympathizers to march the following day in a convoy of cars and motorcycles from Surabaya, 30 kilometers away, into Sidoarjo's stadium.

It was to be part of a political rally attended by PAN Chairman A