PDI congress 'must be democratic'<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan) deputy chairman Dimyati Hartono said the party's
\nfirst congress must be serious and democratic.<\/p>\n
\"I hope there aren't any jokes in the congress. Democracy must
\nbe maintained and implemented during the congress, including in
\nthe decision-making process,\" he told reporters ahead of the
\ncongress, scheduled to open here on Sunday.<\/p>\n
He said he was serious in challenging for the party's
\nchairmanship, not merely seeking an improved bargaining position.<\/p>\n
\"I am in the race for the party's chairmanship because I want
\nthe party to be bigger and modern. I joined the race because the
\nparty has been too slow to respond to the dynamism of the
\nstrategic changes outside the party. The party has also been late
\nin resolving its myriad internal problems, including the quality
\nof its cadres.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot let this continue to happen. Such a situation must
\nbe dealt with properly,\" he said, adding that he had received
\npressure over his chairmanship candidacy.<\/p>\n
Internal rifts in the party over the issue of having more than
\none candidate for the post of chairperson deepened following Eros
\nDjarot's declaration that he was ready to replace incumbent
\nchairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is the country's Vice
\nPresident. Eros was pushed out of the chairmanship race and
\naccused of \"rocking the boat\".<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, congress fever has hit the Central Java capital of
\nSemarang.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan banners are seen across the city and domestic
\nand foreign journalists have flocked to the city.<\/p>\n
Supporters<\/p>\n
At least one million party supporters are expected to flood
\nSemarang during the congress, scheduled to close on April 1.<\/p>\n
Around 6,000 security guards, consisting of police officers
\nand the party's security personnel, will be deployed to safeguard
\nthe congress.<\/p>\n
\"Security personnel from other political parties, such as
\nGolkar, the United Development Party (PPP) and the National
\nAwakening Party (PKB), are also ready to help maintain security
\nand order,\" Semarang Police chief Col. Mathius Salempang said.<\/p>\n
As many as 15 security posts have been set up in areas where
\npeople are expected to gather during the congress.<\/p>\n
To anticipate the crush of PDI Perjuangan supporters, the
\ncongress' organizing committee has been busy making preparations,
\nincluding the establishment of 24 communal kitchens.<\/p>\n
Supito, who is in charge of the kitchens, told The Jakarta
\nPost that at least 1.2 tons of rice was available for the event.<\/p>\n
The kitchens are located at bus terminals, railway stations,
\nPatra Jasa Hotel and along roads linking Semarang with other
\ntowns.<\/p>\n
\"Each kitchen will cook 50 kilograms of rice every day, and Rp
\n500,000 has been allocated for daily meals. We want to sell the
\nmeals at Rp 1,000 per pack, including a glass of distilled water
\nor tea,\" Supito said.<\/p>\n
\"Supporters who do not have any money with them can get meals
\nfor free at designated food stalls, which will make some 1,000
\npackages of nasi bungkus available every day.\" (har\/sur)<\/p>",
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