PL: “Commemoration of 1980 coup was celebrated for the last time”

Opposition party Pertjajah Luhur (PL) and its political parties will reportedly make sure that the commemoration of the 1980 coup will no longer be a national holiday. PL Chairman Paul Somohardjo made it clear that there is no reason to celebrate because the coup and its aftermath claimed the lives of many citizens. There was a huge turnout at Monday’s rally of the opposition party at Leiding 11A despite the fact that the National Democratic Party (NDP) had also summoned its supporters to a rally in center of Paramaribo on the same night.

Somohardjo who is officially the only legislator who opposed the coup in 1980 explained that after 40 years it has been enough with the commemorations that are held by former army leader Desi Bouterse. “How is it possible for them to shoot your mother and father and for you to allow them to celebrate it every year? It must end after 40 years. We will scrap February 25 via PL.” The chairman of the

PL strongly believes that his party will return to power after the elections of May 25. The new government can expect his party to hand in a proposal aimed at abolishing the Day of Liberation and Renewal. The PL is in favor of introducing a religious or cultural theme instead.

Somohardjo also seized the opportunity to critize the IDOS opinion poll. The poll reportedly indicate that the PL will not haul in any parliamentary seats in Paramaribo and that the race will be between the NDP and the VHP. Somohardjo slammed the IDOS poll and even questioned its integrity. “The person who organized the opinion poll only has one wish and that is for the people to only vote for two parties namely the NDP and the VHP. We decide who will become president. We decide who will become VP. We decide who will become the chairman of parliament,” said Somohardjo who added that he does not want the NDP to return to power.