PDI-P councillors defy HQ<\/p>\n
Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has
\nthreatened to dismiss its representatives in the Riau provincial
\nlegislature for defying an order to vote for losing gubernatorial
\ncandidate Saleh Djasit, but it will face a tough challenge.<\/p>\n
The secretary of the party's faction in the legislature, J.
\nNadeak, said on Thursday the central board could not dismiss the
\ncouncillors without following the proper procedures for such
\naction.<\/p>\n
\"Disciplinary measures or dismissals are okay, but there are
\nprocedures the central board must comply with,\" Nadeak said,
\nadding that the councillors were not solely to blame for the
\nparty's failure to win the gubernatorial post.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Roy BB Janis was reportedly
\nupset by the failure of Saleh Djasit and Suryadi Khusaini to win
\nthe gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial posts in the election
\non Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The PDI Perjuangan candidates received only two votes in the
\nelection. The eventual winners, Rusli Zainal and Wan Abubakar,
\nwho were nominated by the United Development Party (PPP),
\nreceived 34 votes.<\/p>\n
\"There is only one word: Dismissal for disloyal party
\nmembers,\" Roy, who observed the election, said afterward. He said
\n12 PDI Perjuangan councillors had violated the orders of party
\nchairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Nadeak blamed the party's central board for nominating Suryadi
\nas the deputy gubernatorial candidate despite resistance from
\ncouncillors. Suryadi chairs the PDI Perjuangan's Riau chapter.<\/p>\n
\"He (Suryadi) did not deserve the nomination. Forget about
\nrunning for the deputy gubernatorial post, nobody even voted for
\nhim in the election for commission chairman in the legislature,\"
\nNadeak said.<\/p>\n
Nadeak said Megawati had asked the party's councillors to vote
\nfor Saleh, but never approved Suryadi's nomination.<\/p>\n
\"He is not a university graduate. Why was he nominated for the
\npost?\" Nadeak said.<\/p>\n
He said only two of PDI Perjuangan's 14 councillors voted for
\nSaleh and Suryadi, while four of the councillors cast their
\nballots for Rusli and Wan. The other eight councillors voted for
\nincumbent governor Saleh and his running mate Chaidir, who were
\nnominated by the Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
\"Suryadi should be held responsible for the flop. He ordered
\nfour councillors to support Rusli,\" Nadeak said. \"Want proof? He
\nheld a party at his house to celebrate Rusli's win.\"<\/p>\n
Suryadi was not available for comment.<\/p>\n
Commenting on rumors that each PDI Perjuangan councillor who
\nvoted for Rusli would receive Rp 1.5 billion (US$178,500), Nadeak
\nsaid he knew nothing about it.<\/p>\n
\"What I know is that Rusli and Suryadi made a deal,\" he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-p-councillors-defy-hq-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }