Observers call for govt role in PDI reunification<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Two leading observers called yesterday for
\ngovernment arbitration if rival factions within the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI) agree to discuss much-awaited
\nreconciliation.<\/p>\n
The rector of Diponegoro University, Muladi, suggested that
\nthe government mediate because it is the patron of domestic
\npolitical affairs.<\/p>\n
\"The government is obligated to step in because conflict-
\nridden PDI plays havoc to political stability nationwide.
\nHowever, it should refrain from meddling in the party's internal
\naffairs,\" Muladi said.<\/p>\n
He said, as the patron of the country's political
\norganizations, the government could not play a hands-off approach
\nto any problems disrupting a political party.<\/p>\n
The call for reconciliation in PDI grows as the minority party
\nlicks its wounds after it suffered poor results in the May 29
\ngeneral election. A few weeks ago, government-sanctioned PDI
\nunder Soerjadi offered its rival faction, led by Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, a dialog which may lead to reunification.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi was reinstated as the party's leader in place of
\nMegawati in a government-backed breakaway congress in June last
\nyear. Following the congress, the government declared it only
\nrecognized PDI under Soerjadi.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. dismissed over the
\nweekend the possibility of the government's participation in the
\nproposed dialog, apparently to avoid being viewed as recognizing
\nMegawati's faction.<\/p>\n
A political observer from Diponegoro University, Soehardjo,
\nshared Muladi's view, saying the government should prove that the
\npolitical system it adopted could help PDI empower itself.<\/p>\n
\"The government has always claimed that the current political
\nsystem is the best. Therefore the system should bring about a
\nhealthy PDI, as well as Golkar and the United Development Party,\"
\nSoehardjo said.<\/p>\n
Muladi said the dialog, if agreed upon, should occur after the
\ngeneral session of the People's Consultative Assembly in March
\nnext year.<\/p>\n
Award<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Jakarta, a team of lawyers of the Megawati-led
\nPDI faction named yesterday former justice Adi Andojo Soetjipto
\nas the first recipient of the Sahardjo Award for his campaign for
\nclean law enforcement in the country.<\/p>\n
The award is named after the late Dr. Sahardjo, a national
\nhero known for his campaign for the promotion of human rights in
\nthe legal system.<\/p>\n
Kastorius Sinaga, a member of a team of five that conducted
\nthe selection, said Adi edged out 41 contenders who were made up
\nof legal activists, bureaucrats or former bureaucrats,
\nintellectuals and common people.<\/p>\n
The selection committee short-listed the nominees to only six,
\nKastorius said, and after a \"long and intense debate\" unanimously
\nvoted for Adi.<\/p>\n
Adi is scheduled to receive the award when the team of lawyers
\ncelebrates their first anniversary on Aug. 26.<\/p>\n
Kastorius, a postgraduate lecturer at the state-run University
\nof Indonesia, declined to identify the other five people joining
\nAdi in the final selection.<\/p>\n
\"This is not a competition. We think that revealing names will
\nadversely affect our campaign for just law enforcement,\"
\nKastorius said.<\/p>\n
The selection committee appraised the nominees on their
\npersistent struggle for law enforcement, their devotion to public
\nwelfare rather than personal or group interests and the effects
\nof their struggle.<\/p>\n
Another selection committee member, Tumbu Saraswati, denied
\nthat Adi's selection indicated that Indonesia fell short of
\nfigureheads in law enforcement. \"Adi is an outstanding character
\nwho has been widely praised by the public,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Adi, who retired last May, made headlines with his accusation
\nof widespread collusion within the Supreme Court and with his
\nruling to exonerate labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan from subversion
\ncharges. He also ruled in favor of the defendants in the murder
\ncase of labor activist Marsinah. (har\/amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/observers-call-for-govt-role-in-pdi-reunification-1447893297",
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