PDI-P discusses future at plush hotel<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nbegan a three-day national meeting on Monday aimed at keeping its
\nsupport base intact ahead of the 2004 elections.<\/p>\n
The party's research and development department head Kwik Kian
\nGie said the meeting was critical for the party as it would test
\nwhether it would be able to win back its supporters to win the
\ngeneral elections for the second straight time.<\/p>\n
"We are all gathering here to answer the challenges the party
\nis facing. We have learned so far that our supporters at the
\nregional level are still committed to fighting (for PDI
\nPerjuangan)," Kwik said on the sidelines of the meeting, which
\nwas opened by chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
The gathering of 800 people from 374 constituencies at a five-
\nstar hotel began against a backdrop of widespread disappointment
\namong party supporters with Megawati's leadership style.
\nControversy between party leaders, the latest involving Kwik, and
\nbetween the party's central board and its provincial chapters
\nover gubernatorial candidates signaled the party's fragile
\nposition ahead of 2004, when Indonesia will hold its first direct
\nelections for a president and House of Representatives members.<\/p>\n
Megawati's preference of gubernatorial candidates in Jakarta,
\nLampung and West Java, the party's strongholds, have drawn
\nprotests for undermining the will and choice of local party
\nchapters.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan won 34 percent of the vote during the 1999
\nelections, but Megawati lost the presidential election to
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, whose National Awakening Party only came
\nfourth in the polls.<\/p>\n
Kwik, who is the State Minister for National Development
\nPlanning in Megawati's cabinet, admitted the party had distanced
\nitself from its supporters after assuming power.<\/p>\n
"I don't have to say it anymore, because it has become a
\ngeneral perception among people anywhere, anytime," Kwik said
\nwhen asked of the apparent gap between the party and its
\nconstituents. "That is why we are here to answer the challenge."<\/p>\n
Kwik said the problem was to some extent a result of rampant
\ncorruption plaguing the party.<\/p>\n
He did not elaborate, saying he would present his concept on
\ncorruption eradication to the floor on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
A few weeks back Kwik sparked controversy with his statement
\nthat PDI Perjuangan was the most corrupt political party in the
\ncountry. No less than fellow cabinet ministers and PDI Perjuangan
\nexecutives Jacob Nuwa Wea and Laksamana Sukardi demanded Kwik's
\ndismissal.<\/p>\n
Megawati reconciled Kwik and his critics, after the outspoken
\nminister admitted that the way he had expressed his opinion was
\nimproper.<\/p>\n
Kwik said there were demands for Megawati to focus on the
\nstate jobs, to keep the party interests intact.<\/p>\n
"Mega became the president because she had to as Gus Dur had
\nto step down. But for 2004, it might not be possible for Mega to
\nbecome both president and PDI Perjuangan chairwoman," Kwik said.<\/p>\n
Megawati assumed the presidency from Abdurrahman "Gus Dur"
\nWahid after he was dismissed by the People's Consultative
\nAssembly in July 2001.<\/p>\n
"The PDI Perjuangan Congress is expected in 2005 and the
\nelection in 2004. It's not possible to hold an extraordinary
\nmeeting this year as we must prepare for the election. Once she
\nbecomes president (in 2004), she must be replaced as the party
\nchairwoman," Kwik said.<\/p>\n
But another party executive, Pramono Anung Wibowo, dismissed
\nthe possibility of an extraordinary meeting to replace Megawati
\nas its chairwoman.<\/p>\n
In her opening speech Megawati said the meeting was being held
\nat a five-star hotel in an attempt to test party executives'
\nability to resist corruption.<\/p>\n
"It rarely happens (PDI Perjuangan holds an event) in hotels.
\nThis time we try to put them in the hotel to test whether they
\nare ready (to defy corruption desires) as there are shopping
\ncenters around here."<\/p>\n
The meeting is being held at Shangri-La hotel in central
\nJakarta, where a standard room costs US$130 plus tax.<\/p>",
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