Cracks in PDI-P<\/p>\n
Serious cracks are now showing in almost all the leading
\npolitical parties but the most glaring ones come from the winner
\nof the recent general election (which collected 35 per cent of
\nall votes), the nationalist Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) thereby eventually allowing its
\nchairwoman, Megawati Soekarnoputri, to grab the position of
\npresident of the country.<\/p>\n
There are forces within PDI Perjuangan that would like to
\nsee Megawati resign as party chief and concentrate fully on her
\ntask as the country's chief executive. It is feared that she will
\nput her party's interests above those of the people.<\/p>\n
Against such a background, two leading members of PDI
\nPerjuangan in the House of Representatives, notably faction
\nleader Sophan Sophian, and Dimyati Hartono, have tendered their
\nresignations as members of PDI Perjuangan. Dimyati says he
\nplans to set up a new political party to take part in the 2004
\ngeneral elections, surprisingly enough embracing the younger
\nsister of Megawati, Rachmawati, with whom she used to be at
\nloggerheads on political affairs.<\/p>\n
Sophan Sophian has said he can no longer withstand the
\npolitical atmosphere within the party ranks, which goes against
\nhis conscience, and prefers to step down.<\/p>\n
It is an open secret that Megawati is now being surrounded by
\npeople close to members of the Cabinet or their wives, who are
\nshowering her and members of her family with all kinds of favors
\nthat remind one of the time of former absolute ruler Soeharto.
\nThis kind of service to the first family is uncalled for under a
\ndemocratic setup: It smacks of nepotism, which could ruin the
\nparty in the long run and on the eve of the 2004 direct general
\nelections.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan will be hard-pressed to retain its
\nlead in the coming general election due to take place in two
\nyears' time. For the time being the coalition government is
\nstrong enough to withstand any legislative storm until the year
\n2004. However, PDI Perjuangan is unlikely to emerge from the
\nelections in 2004 as strong as before with so many splits within
\nits ranks.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cracks-in-pdi-p-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }