Megawati's congress set to open<\/p>\n
By Imanuddin and M.M.I. Ahyani<\/p>\n
DENPASAR (JP): Tens of thousands of Megawati Soekarnoputri
\nloyalists continue to stream into Bali to lend support to a
\nthree-day congress of her faction of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI), which she has promised will be secure and orderly.<\/p>\n
Set to open on Thursday morning, the congress will welcome
\nabout 1,000 registered party officials from across the country.
\nBut the most striking images are being played out on the streets,
\nwhere thousands of loyalists lacking congress accreditation have
\npainted Denpasar red in their party color. On Wednesday night,
\nsupporters went on a noisy motorbike convoy in the provincial
\ncapital.<\/p>\n
Megawati made two separate visits on Wednesday to the chief of
\nUdayana Regional Military Command, Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri, and
\nBali Police chief Brig. Gen. Gunawan. In the meeting, Adam said,
\nMegawati assured him she would do her part to maintain order
\nduring the congress.<\/p>\n
About 2,000 police personnel plus 1,400 military personnel
\nhave been deployed to safeguard the event. The local chapter of
\nMegawati's camp has recruited 1,000 supporters for security.<\/p>\n
Megawati, the daughter of founding president Sukarno, is
\nscheduled to deliver the opening address and formally start the
\ncongress.<\/p>\n
It is customary for senior government officials to open
\nIndonesian political organizations' congresses. President B.J.
\nHabibie's administration, however, has retained the policy of his
\npredecessor Soeharto by only recognizing the PDI camp currently
\nled by Budi Hardjono.<\/p>\n
From its opening, the congress' agenda is laden with several
\ntough assignments. While it is almost assured that Megawati will
\nstay at the camp's helm, debates will focus on whether she should
\nbe accorded the authority to establish the full lineup of the
\nexecutive board.<\/p>\n
Deputy chairman Mangara Siahaan said the decision would be
\nmade after a session on Thursday evening when all the chapters
\nwill give their reports.<\/p>\n
\"It's clear she will win, but the congress will still decide
\non the question of authority to establish the leadership lineup.\"<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Jakarta chapter Roy B.B. Yanis recommended
\nthat Megawati be given the power to decide on the lineup in order
\nto prevent the emergence of conflicts between competing
\ninterests.<\/p>\n
Also at issue is a change in its name from PDI, a prerequisite
\nbefore it can register with the Ministry of Home Affairs,
\nformally separate itself from Budi's camp and become a party
\neligible for the general election planned for May next year.<\/p>\n
Secretary-general Alexander Litaay conceded the question may
\nbe addressed in the congress. \"We will leave it up to the PDI
\nmembers.\"<\/p>\n
Separately, Sabam Sirait, a member of the congress' steering
\ncommittee, said the change in the party name would not be
\nformally included on the congress agenda.<\/p>\n
\"It's up to the government whether they will recognize
\nMegawati's PDI or not. But, I'm confident that the government
\nwill positively respond to the aspiration of the people who
\nsupport Megawati,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Also on Wednesday, Megawati conducted a final check on
\npreparations. She inspected the Lapangan Kapten Japa field, the
\nsite of the congress' opening ceremony, which is located some
\nthree kilometers north of congress venue Grand Bali Beach Hotel.
\nThousands of onlookers chanted their support for her.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Bali chapter Ida Bagus Putu Wesnawa said all
\nregistered participants from 27 chapters and 311 branches had
\narrived.<\/p>\n
Brazilian ambassador Jadile Ferreira, South African envoy B.S.
\nKubekha and Thai ambassador Shompand Kukilanon have confirmed
\ntheir attendance. Twenty other foreign embassies will send staff
\nmembers to the congress. U.S. ambassador Stapleton J. Roy has yet
\nto confirm.<\/p>\n
Separately, Sophan Sophiaan of the camp's research and
\ndevelopment center said the organization would support the
\npolitical agenda of President B.J. Habibie, including the planned
\nspecial session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in
\nNovember and the general election next year.<\/p>\n
\"Although the legitimacy of Habibie's administration is still
\nquestionable, PDI under Megawati Soekarnoputri will be consistent
\nin its campaign to make the political agenda a success,\" Sophan
\nwas quoted by Antara news agency as saying.<\/p>\n
Sophan reiterated that Megawati's camp would contest the
\ngeneral election.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the government's ambivalence, Sophan said
\nMegawati's camp would continue with its programs.<\/p>\n
\"Despite the government's failure to recognize us, we have
\ndecided not to care any longer about the legitimacy (granted) by
\nthe government and to choose the legitimacy from the people,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"With or without (recognition), we will join the election.\"<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawatis-congress-set-to-open-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }