Government policy on PDI's crisis in E. Java deplored<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Former chairman of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) Soerjadi has criticized the Minister of Home Affairs
\nfor his inaction in the crisis that has afflicted the East Java
\nchapter of his party and involves the local governor.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi, who is also deputy speaker of the House of
\nRepresentatives, said over the weekend that Home Affairs Minister
\nMoch. Yogie S.M. should not make the issue the local government's
\nbusiness because such a conclusion sounds highly illogical.<\/p>\n
The PDI central board has deplored what it calls intervention
\nby the East Java governor into the party's internal problem.
\nGovernor Basofi Sudirman recently sent invitations to all PDI
\nregency leaders to attend a meeting with him at his office
\ntomorrow.<\/p>\n
A statement by the PDI central board said last week that the
\ngovernor had gone too far with this activity which is against
\nthe country's political ethics and violates the law.<\/p>\n
Earlier reports said the local administration also refused to
\nissue a permit for the installation of the newly-elected leader
\nof the PDI East Java chapter, Sutjipto, and supported his rival
\nwho lost the election.<\/p>\n
Latief Pudjosakti, the rival, refused to recognize Sutjipto's
\nleadership and set up his own provincial cabinet, a maneuver
\nrejected by the PDI central board.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi on Saturday urged Megawati Soekarnoputri, the party's
\nchairwoman, to take stern measures against Latief.<\/p>\n
He said, as quoted by Jawa Pos yesterday, that any leniency
\nshe showed in facing the crisis will not only tarnish PDI's image
\nbut would also make the crisis get out of hand.<\/p>\n
Mh. Isnaeni, another veteran PDI leader, has also criticized
\nthe East Java governor for the initiative. Isnaeni, a PDI vice
\nchairman in the 1970s, said that the government should respect
\nthe law by letting the PDI leadership solve the party's internal
\nrift without outside intervention.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the East Java administration has said that the
\nmeeting between the governor and PDI branch leaders will go on as
\nscheduled.<\/p>\n
Suryadi Setiawan, the head of the provincial agency of socio-
\npolitical affairs who signed the invitation cards on behalf of
\nGov. Basofi, said in Surabaya Saturday that the local authorities
\ndid not intend to meddle in PDI's internal problems.<\/p>\n
"Pak Gubernur (Mr. Governor) is sincere," Setiawan said. He
\nadded that if it deems it necessary he will send a report about
\nthe meeting to the PDI central board in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"It can use it to solve the party's crisis," he said.<\/p>\n
"By inviting PDI officials from both Sutjipto's and Latief's
\ncamps the governor wants to demonstrate his neutrality in the
\ndispute," Setiawan said.<\/p>\n
He added that the government initiative was made at the behest
\nof PDI activists, he added.<\/p>\n
He added that the government would not resort to coercion if
\nPDI officials refuse to attend. (tis)<\/p>",
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