PDI leadership crisis in East Java over, Megawati says<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chief Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri resisted the government's pressure yesterday to
\nretract her choice of Sutjipto to lead the East Java party
\nchapter.<\/p>\n
Instead, she declared that the party leadership crisis in East
\nJava, one of PDI's strongest bases, was "over" and urged the
\ngovernment to recognize Sutjipto.<\/p>\n
"I once more call on all parties concerned, including the
\ngovernment, to respect the (PDI) central executive board's
\ndecision," she told journalists.<\/p>\n
Megawati reasserted her stand to have Sutjipto at the helm
\nonly two days after East Java Governor Basofi Sudirman apologized
\nto her for meddling in the party's internal affairs.<\/p>\n
The crisis was triggered by the party's difficulties in
\nelecting a new chapter chairman to replace Latief Pudjosakti, who
\nhad completed his five year term.<\/p>\n
A regional party congress earlier this year elected Sutjipto,
\nbut the decision was put on hold after his rival, the government-
\nbacked Latief, found that the number of ballot papers totaled
\nmore than the number of eligible voters.<\/p>\n
In subsequent developments, an electoral board formed by the
\nchapter elected Latief, but Megawati rejected him. She stood
\nbehind Sutjipto, who is known to be one of her staunch
\nsupporters.<\/p>\n
The government refused to recognize Sutjipto on the grounds
\nthat there were two chapter chairmen each claiming to be the
\nlegitimate one.<\/p>\n
Although Governor Basofi has apologized for meddling in PDI's
\ninternal problems, the government has not made it clear whether
\nit will recognize Sutjipto.<\/p>\n
Contender<\/p>\n
Megawati, the eldest daughter of Indonesia's first president
\nSukarno, said that she would not reverse her decision to choose
\nSutjipto as the new East Java PDI chapter for whatever reasons.<\/p>\n
She said Latief, a contender in last year's party chairman
\nelection, who is one of Megawati's most ardent critics, had been
\nwarned and ordered to accept her decision.<\/p>\n
As there has been no indication that the crisis will end,
\nLatief still occupies the party's office in the East Java capital
\nof Surabaya.<\/p>\n
Megawati said she had asked all PDI leaders throughout the
\nprovince to abide by her decision to have Sutjipto as their local
\nboss.<\/p>\n
Asked when she would swear in Sutjipto, Megawati said that
\ninauguration was only a formality and could be done any time.<\/p>\n
Late last month, Governor Basofi flexed his muscle by refusing
\nto inaugurate Sutjipto, a move that took all the party members
\nand guests by surprise. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-leadership-crisis-in-east-java-over-megawati-says-1447893297",
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