PDI-P takes initiative to bring party leaders together<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Major political parties have endorsed the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI Perjuangan) move
\nto convene a meeting of party leaders expected next week, which
\nparty executives said could cement support for Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri through 2004.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan Deputy Secretary General Pramono Anung Wibowo
\non Wednesday stressed that as host the party would not set a
\nspecific agenda for the meeting, but talks on how Megawati could
\nsafely lead the country till 2004 would be left open.<\/p>\n
\"Ibu Megawati will personally initiate the meeting and declare
\nit a party initiative.<\/p>\n
\"So far most party leaders have expressed their willingness to
\nattend. So it might happen next week,\" Pramono told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Pramono stressed that National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman
\nMatori Abdul Djalil, one of President Abdurrahman Wahid's most
\nardent political allies, would be invited to the meeting.<\/p>\n
Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung not only expressed
\nsupport for the meeting, but also said he would have no
\nobjections if the talks included the possibility of a change in
\nthe national leadership.<\/p>\n
He noted that there was no doubt among any of the parties
\nabout Megawati's ability to lead the nation should a transfer of
\npower occur.<\/p>\n
\"If the tendency of the discussion is the replacement of the
\nnational leadership, I don't see it as a problem as nobody doubts
\nMegawati,\" Akbar remarked, while stressing that whatever the
\neventual outcome of the political struggle it had to be in
\naccordance with the Constitution.<\/p>\n
This new initiative by PDI Perjuangan comes on the heels of
\nthe House of Representative's decision to issue a second
\nmemorandum of censure against the President, bringing him closer
\nto possible impeachment hearings.<\/p>\n
The move is the most brazen step yet taken by the party and
\nMegawati, who is usually more reserved in her political gestures.
\nThis new development will no doubt add fuel to the talk of a
\ngrowing split between Megawati and Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
Such a rupture would be particularly significant given that
\nPDI Perjuangan holds the most seats in both the House and the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly, where impeachment hearings
\nagainst the President would take place.<\/p>\n
Akbar, whose party is the second-largest behind PDI
\nPerjuangan, did not hide his appreciation for PDI Perjuangan's
\nproposal on Wednesday, describing it as a noble initiative on the
\npart of Megawati to find a solution to the political stalemate.<\/p>\n
\"I appreciate that PDI Perjuangan is finally taking the
\ninitiative to find a solution to the current political deadlock
\nand I will attend such a meeting,\" Akbar said.<\/p>\n
The initiative and its enthusiastic reaction demonstrate the
\ngrowing power of PDI Perjuangan and Megawati, particularly
\nconsidering that a similar proposal by Abdurrahman a fortnight
\nago met with little enthusiasm and failed to materialize.<\/p>\n
United Development Party secretary-general Alimarwan Hanan
\nthrew his weight behind the proposed gathering of party leaders
\nunder the aegis of Megawati.<\/p>\n
\"It's necessary to have such a dialog and it should be
\nhighlighted by possible steps to improve the condition of the
\ncountry,\" Alimarwan remarked.<\/p>\n
National Mandate Party (PAN) secretary-general Hatta Radjasa
\nalso said his party welcomed the initiative.<\/p>\n
PKB chairman Matori Abdul Djalil indicated he would gladly
\nattend the meeting, saying it was important to open the lines of
\ncommunication between political parties and end the deadlock.<\/p>\n
\"Because the President comes from PKB we will only listen to
\nwhat other parties suggest at the meeting,\" Matori remarked.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the Golkar Party faction in the House, Syamsul
\nMuarif, said: \"The ball is now in the hands of PDI Perjuangan,
\nand other factions, including Golkar, will support it. PDI
\nPerjuangan should take the initiative on what further steps
\nshould be taken to end the political deadlock.\" (dja\/rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-p-takes-initiative-to-bring-party-leaders-together-1447893297",
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