Govt refuse to recognize Mgawati's PDI faction<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Even as Megawati Soekarnoputri intensifies
\npreparations for her congress, the government has made clear that
\nit is still refusing to recognize her faction of the splintered
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI).<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid said here on Friday
\nthat Megawati's faction was not yet a party. He described it as a
\nmere prospective party, admittedly with strong support, which had
\nyet to register itself at the Ministry of Home Affairs.<\/p>\n
\"Don't refer to Megawati's faction of the PDI as a political
\nparty. It is not a party, but a prospective party. We should,
\nhowever, acknowledge that it has strong support,\" he said after
\nattending a House of Representatives plenary session here on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
The government only recognizes the PDI faction under Budi
\nHardjono. Budi was elected to the faction's chair in a congress
\nheld in Palu, Central Sulawesi, in August. Despite this,
\nofficials have been unable to stem the rising tide of support for
\nMegawati, as evident by the influx of her supporters to the
\nisland of Bali, where her faction's congress is to be held.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said recently that
\nMegawati could hold her congress providing she guaranteed
\nsecurity on the tourist island for its duration.<\/p>\n
Megawati has so far ignored the ambiguous stance taken by the
\ngovernment on the matter. She has reportedly not applied for a
\npolice permit to hold the congress.<\/p>\n
Syarwan said on Friday that he hoped the Bali congress would
\nproceed successfully and safely.<\/p>\n
\"I am trying to avoid a conflict here. As long as the two
\ncamps (in the party) tow the line ... the government wants the
\ncongress to proceed successfully and safely,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He reiterated that the two camps should not use the same party
\nname to avoid causing administrative confusion.<\/p>\n
The PDI split into two factions after the Soeharto government
\nengineered a breakaway congress in Medan, North Sumatra, to oust
\nMegawati from the party's leadership in 1996. Megawati has never
\naccepted the results of the congress, in which Soerjadi was
\nelected party chairman in her stead. Soerjadi was replaced by
\nBudi Hardjono during the Palu congress.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sarwa Kabiana, the deputy secretary of the party's
\nBali chapter loyal to Megawati, said in the provincial capital
\nDenpasar on Friday that at least 150 local and foreign
\njournalists would cover the congress, which is to be held between
\nOct. 8 and Oct. 10.<\/p>\n
He also said five tribal leaders from Irian Jaya have arrived
\nin Bali for the congress at Megawati's invitation. (rms)<\/p>",
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