Megawati wins support for renomination<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri has
\nsecured overwhelming support for her renomination as chairwoman
\nof the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan),
\na month before the party's congress in Semarang.<\/p>\n
All but one of the party's 28 provincial chapters pledged
\nduring the precongress executive meeting on Saturday to keep
\nMegawati as their leader following her success in leading the
\nparty to securing the most votes in last year's general election.<\/p>\n
The delegation from Central Kalimantan did not explicitly
\ndeclare its support of Megawati, but expressed satisfaction with
\nher leadership.<\/p>\n
Representatives of provincial chapters and regional branches
\nwill convene from March 26 to March 31 in the Central Java
\ncapital to elect the party's chief.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the opening of the executive meeting on Friday
\nevening, Megawati asserted her readiness for another term.<\/p>\n
\"Internal consolidation remains on demand to strengthen the
\nparty and to safeguard the nation from disintegration threats,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
The party's secretary-general, Alex Litaay, said on Saturday,
\nMegawati's reelection would depend on support from the chapters
\nand branches, not the central executive board.<\/p>\n
\"It will representatives of the chapters and branches who will
\nvote on the chairmanship, not us.\"<\/p>\n
Party executives remain divided over Megawati's acceptance to
\nher nomination.<\/p>\n
A number of party officials have suggested that Megawati
\nwithdraw her candidacy to let her concentrate on her state duties
\nas the vice president and for regeneration in the party to take
\nplace.<\/p>\n
Many others have hailed Megawati's move, saying her leadership
\nwas badly needed by the majority of party activists and
\nsupporters.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan's deputy chairman Dimyati Hartono defended
\nopposition to Megawati's reelection bid, saying her jobs in the
\nparty would pose a serious hurdle to her government duties.<\/p>\n
\"Megawati should put national interest before party interest
\nand abandon all her party tasks for the sake of efficiency,\" he
\nsaid. But he admitted that there was no ruling which could bar
\nher from holding a key post in a political party.<\/p>\n
Dimyati, also a professor of constitutional law at Diponegoro
\nUniversity in Semarang, said his request for Megawati to decline
\nthe nomination did not belie his own ambitions.<\/p>\n
\"Of course, many have given their support for me but many more
\nhave criticized me. Thanks for all support and criticism, but I
\nam in the position of supporting the party's primary program of
\nupholding the true democracy in the country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Mochtar Buchori, another deputy chairman, concurred and said
\nit was now time for the party to provide opportunities to younger
\nparty members.<\/p>\n
\"I cannot bar Megawati from taking the post, but if she is
\nreelected, I suggest that she replace all members of the current
\ncentral executive board with younger cadres,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Postdam Hutasoit and Paulus said Megawati's acceptance of the
\nnomination would be the true answer to the party's crisis of
\nleadership, and the challenges the nation will face in the
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
Postdam said that for the time being, the party had no
\nalternative candidates to replace Megawati.<\/p>\n
Senior executive Sabam Sirait called for a halt in the debate
\nover the chairmanship, saying the party's future would rely not
\nonly on one person but everybody's hard work in fighting for the
\nparty's programs.<\/p>\n
Aside from electing a leader, participants of the congress
\nwill spend much of their time assessing the party's strengths and
\nweaknesses and identifying the country's future challenges. (rms)<\/p>",
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