'Govt can impose solution to PDI row'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman has the
\npolitical right to force an end to the protracted chairmanship
\nconflict at the provincial chapter of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI), observers say.<\/p>\n
With the January 31st deadline approaching to establish the
\nprovincial committee for general elections, the administration
\nmight have to eventually favor one rival over the other, said
\nAmir Santoso of the University of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Governor Basofi has the right to pick one solution and apply
\nit, even against the wishes of those embroiled in the conflict,\"
\nthe lecturer at the School of Social and Political Sciences told
\nThe Jakarta Post by telephone yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"The governor must first initiate another meeting to help the
\nrivals reconcile,\" Amir said. \"If there's one camp who balks and
\nrefuses to attend, then the governor is no longer to be blamed if
\nhe takes certain policies to resolve the conflict.\"<\/p>\n
According to a 1974 law on provincial administration, the
\ngovernor \"has a political right to take action to resolve\" such
\nconflicts.<\/p>\n
As a patron of political development in the region, Basofi can
\ntake any measure he deems best for his region, Amir said.<\/p>\n
Ramlan Surbakty of the Surabaya-based Airlangga University
\nexpressed similar sentiments.<\/p>\n
\"I believe the governor will eventually force a solution to
\nthe rival leadership conflict, and (openly) recognize Latief,\" he
\nsaid. \"There have been signs that the administration and the
\ngovernor have been favoring Latief over Soetjipto anyway.\"<\/p>\n
The claimants to the chairmanship are Soetjipto, who is backed
\nby the central executive board led by Megawati Soekarnoputri, and
\nLatief Pudjosakti, who claims to have the support of 31 of the 37
\nsmaller branches.<\/p>\n
Momentum<\/p>\n
\"The administration is probably only seeking the momentum to
\njustify its actions (to favor Latief over his rival),\" he said.
\n\"It's probably watching out for Sujipto to make one mistake to
\njustify (the action).\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Afan Gaffar of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta
\nsaid he doubted that a solution would be found.<\/p>\n
Late last month, Basofi invited both camps to discuss possible
\nreconciliation. Latief came to the meeting with his supporters,
\nbut Soetjipto failed to show up. Only later did Soetjipto say
\nthat he didn't turn up because he feared the meeting would only
\nrehash the question of which camp is \"constitutional\".<\/p>\n
Amir pointed out that the East Java administration is under
\npressure to establish the provincial election committee by the
\nend of this month.<\/p>\n
\"It's precisely because there's a time pressure that the
\ngovernor has the right to find a solution,\" Amir said. \"He should
\ntell the rival camps about the pressure of the deadline he's
\nfacing.\"<\/p>\n
\"He wouldn't be acting arbitrarily if he did force a solution,
\nhe wouldn't be violating any laws,\" Amir said. \"Soetjipto's camp
\ncould not accuse him of that.\"<\/p>\n
\"There are two versions of the story, so let's listen to both
\nsides,\" Amir said. \"For Latief, it's Megawati who has been
\nacting arbitrarily, denying his claim to the chairmanship just
\nbecause she doesn't like him.\"<\/p>\n
Afan said that the PDI East Java chapter would not likely meet
\nthe deadline because of the \"stubbornness\" of both camps. \"They
\nboth should compromise, or there should be a third person,\" Afan
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Megawati should be realistic and stop insisting that
\nSoetjipto be recognized by the provincial administration,\" he
\nsaid. \"Her stance could drive Latief's supporters to abandon the
\nparty altogether.\"<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. has hinted that the
\nprovincial committee for general elections might have to be
\nestablished without the presence of representatives from the
\nPDI's East Java chapter.<\/p>\n
Afan, however, does not believe that the government will let
\nthat happen.<\/p>\n
\"The National Committee for General Elections or the home
\naffairs ministry would certainly look for people to represent the
\nPDI East Java chapter,\" Afan said. \"There are plenty of people
\nwilling to take that position.\"<\/p>\n
He added: \"While this protracted conflict may have served as
\npublic exposure for PDI, in the long run it could harm PDI's
\nchance in the general elections.\"<\/p>\n
However, Megawati said that by insisting she revoke her
\nsupport of Soetjipto, the government is forcing her to commit an
\nunconstitutional act.<\/p>\n
Megawati reminded that Soetjipto was appointed by a decree
\nfrom the party's board and that a revocation of the decree would
\namount to a legal violation. (swe\/31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-can-impose-solution-to-pdi-row-1447893297",
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