PDI makes development in its main campaign theme<\/p>\n
BOGOR, West Java (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
\nplans to zero in on changes to national development programs
\nduring the general electoral campaign from April 27 to May 22.<\/p>\n
Government-recognized chairman of the party Soerjadi told a
\nmeeting here yesterday of the 230 cadres who will train PDI's
\ncampaign speakers that pushing for changes does not mean the
\nparty seeks to destroy existing development achievements, or to
\ntopple the legitimate government.<\/p>\n
\"PDI is always prepared to give the government constructive
\ncriticism if anything goes wrong with our development programs,\"
\nSoerjadi said.<\/p>\n
\"Development itself is a change, although the change must not
\nharm the overall sustainable development process.\" he added.<\/p>\n
The election campaign precedes the May 29 general election,
\nfeaturing PDI, the dominant political organization, Golkar, and
\nthe United Development Party.<\/p>\n
In the 1992 election, PDI made the controversial issue of
\nlimiting a president's tenure in office to only two terms as its
\ncampaign theme, although it finally endorsed incumbent President
\nSoeharto's reelection for a sixth consecutive term.<\/p>\n
PDI has decided not to rely on the campaign as a means to
\ncanvass votes as it believes the election rules do not allow it
\nto make full use of the campaign period.<\/p>\n
\"We are preparing a number of tricks to gain votes without
\nhaving to violate the election rules. This will be our best-kept
\nsecret,\" Soerjadi said yesterday.<\/p>\n
The party's calls for change covers political, economic, legal
\nand sociocultural issues.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi said the existing political system had yet to
\nencourage the fulfillment of people's democratic rights as
\nsuggested by the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
\"This sort of 'formal democracy' must turn into 'substantial
\ndemocracy' through the refurbishment of political instruments,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The party suggested the empowering of the House of
\nRepresentatives as a controlling body to be equal with the
\ngovernment. \"We have to revise the House's internal rules so that
\nit can exercise its budgetary rights. If necessary, the rules
\nmust be adopted as a law,\" Soerjadi said.<\/p>\n
PDI renewed its call for separate leadership in the House and
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly, saying that the assembly is
\nan institution which is more senior than the House, the President
\nand all other state bodies. Since 1971, the House speaker has
\nalso been the leader of the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
The assembly comprises the 500 House members plus 500
\nrepresentatives of various groups and professions nominated by
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
Stating its stance on political development, the party urged
\nthe government to let all political groups grow up independently.
\nAt the same time, however, PDI asked the government to earmark
\nfinancial aid for the three political organizations from the
\nstate budget.<\/p>\n
PDI also called on the Armed Forces to start focusing on its
\njob of \"introducing dynamics\" to society, and to refrain from
\naffiliating itself to a certain political group.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces played a pivotal role in the setting up of
\nGolkar in the early 1960s and has been included in Golkar's
\nfamily at large.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi said the government should revoke its \"floating mass\"
\npolicy, which prevents political parties from having grassroots
\nbranches, and recognize the rights and responsibilities of all
\nthree political groups to improve the public's political
\nawareness.<\/p>\n
On legal development, PDI called for a strong Supreme Court.
\nIt also urged the government to work together with the House to
\ncarry out the national legislation program by drawing up a
\npriority list of laws needed by the public.<\/p>\n
On economic development, PDI reiterated the importance of a
\nnational consensus to guarantee the use of economic resources for
\nthe utmost benefit of the public as mandated by the Constitution.
\n(23\/amd)<\/p>",
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