Latief Pudjosakti dies in Mecca<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Latief Pudjosakti, at the center of the
\nprotracted leadership conflict within the East Java chapter of
\nthe Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), died in Mecca Wednesday
\nwhile performing haj pilgrimage. He was 46.<\/p>\n
He is survived by his wife Kristin Latief, and five children.<\/p>\n
Secretary of the East Java PDI chapter Trimono, who spoke on
\nbehalf of the deceased's relatives, said in Surabaya Latief's
\nbody was buried in Mecca yesterday.<\/p>\n
On pilgrimage with VIP facilities, Latief died of a throat
\ninflammation. Six months ago, he was hospitalized for a heart
\nproblem, according to Antara.<\/p>\n
Latief was deputy chief of the East Java provincial
\nlegislative council.<\/p>\n
He sprang to prominence in national politics in 1993 when he
\nbecame the de facto acting party chief after the government
\nrejected a PDI congress decision to reelect Soerjadi.<\/p>\n
In the 1993 ordinary congress, he was out-maneuvered by
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, who clinched the PDI top slot by a
\npopular vote.<\/p>\n
Despite the defeat, he retained popularity and government
\nbacking. He was reelected East Java PDI chief by local congress
\nin 1994. But his victory was disputed and finally annulled by
\nMegawati.<\/p>\n
In a highly controversial move, Megawati named her staunch
\nsupporter Sutjipto. Her decision was strongly rejected by both
\nLatief and East Java governor Basofi Sudirman.<\/p>\n
Both Latief and Sutjipto stuck to their claim they were the
\nlegitimate local PDI chief.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, Megawati -- who lost her chair in a government-
\nbacked rebel congress last year -- sent condolence to Latief's
\nrelatives.<\/p>\n
\"Although we had fundamental differences in viewing the East
\nJava party conflict, I acknowledge that Latief had a great
\ncontribution in developing PDI,\" she told reporters.<\/p>\n
\"The party has lost an illustrious leader,\" she said.
\n(pan\/aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/latief-pudjosakti-dies-in-mecca-1447893297",
"image": ""
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