Megawati vows to hold congress, contest election<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Undaunted by the government's continued
\nrecognition of a rival camp, Megawati Soekarnoputri of the
\nsplintered Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) vowed on Tuesday she
\nwill lead her supporters at the general election next year.<\/p>\n
The popular ousted leader told a gathering of thousands of
\nsupporters here she would hold her camp's congress in October --
\nrather than December as previously scheduled -- to elect a new
\nleadership.<\/p>\n
Megawati did not elaborate about the congress, which is
\nexpected to be held either in Yogyakarta or Bali. She only said
\nthat while she deliberately did not vote in the 1997 general
\nelection organized by former president Soeharto's regime, she
\nwould use her right to vote next year.<\/p>\n
\"Whether or not I would still be PDI leader at the time, is
\nnot an issue. Leave the question of the party leadership to the
\ncongress,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She threatened to stage protests if anyone attempted to
\ndisrupt her plan to hold the congress. \"Even the new parties can
\nhold congresses without any disturbances. So why can't PDI, which
\nclearly enjoys the support of many people, hold its congress?\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
She then called on her supporters to consolidate and prepare
\nfor the general election, planned for either May or June next
\nyear. She called on them not to be swayed by anybody who tried to
\nbuy them off, now that it was evident her supporters represented
\na real political force.<\/p>\n
\"This is true. The only thing that would weaken PDI would be
\nif its cadres were tempted by money and positions. There are
\npeople who have tried to lure PDI cadres in districts, offer them
\nmillions of rupiah (in exchange for their support). Don't be
\ntempted,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Megawati, in Bandung to open a branch congress, again
\nattracted the strong support she enjoyed in other parts of the
\ncountry. Thousands flocked to the meeting site and traffic became
\nvery congested, especially after her supporters held a motorcade
\nafter the gathering.<\/p>\n
She also insisted that, despite mounting calls from various
\nquarters, she would not make up with her rival, Soerjadi, who
\nousted her in a June 1996 congress in Medan, North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
\"They say I am stubborn. I am not, I am a person of principle
\nand I adhere to party statutes,\" she said, to hysterical applause
\nfrom her supporters.<\/p>\n
She also said Soerjadi's maneuver in holding a government-
\nrecognized congress last week in Palu, Central Sulawesi -- which
\nelected Budi Hardjono as the new party chairman -- was none of
\nher camp's business. \"So don't ask me about the result of (the
\ncongress in) Palu. That is none of the PDI's business,\" she
\nasserted.<\/p>\n
Acknowledging that the government appeared to be confused as
\nto how to handle the PDI question and was unable to recognize her
\ncamp as the legitimate PDI, Megawati said: \"They (government
\nofficials) are still trying to save face even after their
\nmaneuvers (in splitting the party) have been exposed,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"We demand that the government take a clear stance on the
\nmatter,\" she said. \"If this is not enough, then maybe PDI should
\nshow its force. If all of its 30 million cadres around the
\ncountry march, how long do you think the line would be?<\/p>\n
\"So, will you be willing to walk in Indian file if I ask you
\nto?\" she queried, to which her supporters shouted, \"We will!\"
\n(43)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-vows-to-hold-congress-contest-election-1447893297",
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