PDI congress<\/p>\n
Contrary to what the government has repeatedly announced, that
\nis, that it will not interfere with the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty's internal affairs and will leave the settlement of the
\nparty's prolonged conflict to its members; it ultimately issued a
\npermit for Soerjadi to hold a congress in Palu this week. Not
\nonly that, Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid on behalf of
\nPresident B.J. Habibie was scheduled to open the controversial
\nevent. This obviously shows that the present government, renowned
\nto be reformative in nature and actions, publicly and openly
\nsides with one of the two rival groups -- Soerjadi's side.<\/p>\n
Although it has been said that no special protection would be
\naccorded to the participants of the congress, at least 1,000
\npolice officers will be deployed to safeguard the gathering. This
\nis not counting the money (to be) provided by the local and
\ncentral administrations to make the event happen and the airfare
\nfor Syarwan Hamid. In this time of economic turmoil in which an
\nincreasing number of people are suffering from a shortage of
\nmoney to buy food, this is certainly a staggering exhibition of
\npower, arrogance, supremacy and financial establishment on the
\npart of the government.<\/p>\n
As the rift between the two Indonesian Democratic Party sides
\nhas not been settled, while holding a congress is a far cry from
\nsolving the conflict and will not lead to a settlement, issuing
\nSoerjadi a permit, opening his congress and safeguarding it means
\nmeddling in the party's internal affairs. And doing so by siding
\nwith one group will certainly incite anger from the other side.
\nThis anger, which could lead to disruption and riots, is
\ninevitable as Megawati's side has appealed and warned the
\ngovernment not to grant a permit to Soerjadi's minimally
\nsupported congress.<\/p>\n
However, although resistance to the congress and support for
\nMegawati has widely and successively flowed both from Megawati's
\nsupporters and the public, the government doesn't seem to pay
\nheed. Both Soerjadi and the government keep going on with their
\nplans and political maneuvers, stubbornly ignoring the public.<\/p>\n
By way of contrast, the government has threatened to take firm
\naction against any party that tries to disrupt the gathering,
\nespecially that from Megawati's side. Such an approach was
\ncommonly used in the Soeharto regime.<\/p>\n
Being present at the gathering, Syarwan and other government
\nofficials will have to be safeguarded. And if the event is
\ndisrupted, especially by Megawati's supporters, their actions
\nwill be used as a means to dole out legitimate punishment. And if
\nMegawati's supporters do disrupt the congress, let alone harm
\nanybody, the government will have more ammunition and power to
\ntopple or defame Megawati.<\/p>\n
They forget that Megawati never asks anyone, let alone her
\ncadres and supporters, to make trouble.<\/p>\n
Any such action would come from her sympathizers who volunteer
\nto do and initiate such things. These individuals empowered by
\nsympathy, loyalty and desperation would do anything to disrupt
\nthe congress and stop participants from attending. Despite their
\nfinancial constraints, they have organized themselves without
\nMegawati's knowledge to obstruct participants from entering the
\nquarters of the congress and have gone to Palu to do so. They are
\nreportedly ready to die for Megawati.<\/p>\n
The government should be held responsible for any disturbance
\nduring the controversial congress.<\/p>\n
MATIAS SINAGA<\/p>\n
Surabaya, East Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-congress-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }