PDI Perjuangan maintains stance on dual functions<\/p>\n
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nreiterated its opposition on Saturday to relinquishing the dual
\npositions held by political party leaders and those who also hold
\ngovernment positions due to the country's political and
\neconomical conditions.<\/p>\n
\"In better circumstances, when the country is no longer
\nplagued by economic, social and political crises, the dual role
\nwill no longer be necessary,\" Pramono Anung, the party's deputy
\nsecretary-general, said in support of President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, who is also the party chairwoman.<\/p>\n
Megawati told PDI Perjuangan members in Ponorogo, East Java on
\nSaturday that a party leader who also occupied a public or
\ngovernment position would be able to gain a better understanding
\nof the people's aspirations.<\/p>\n
She, however, acknowledged that a person would be able to work
\nmore efficiently when he or she was only required to concentrate
\non one role.<\/p>\n
\"There is also good in it (for a person to hold one position).
\nBecause if there is only one position then the work would be well
\ntaken care of,\" she said in her speech when closing the PDI
\nPerjuangan gathering, a meeting she denied was part of her
\nparty's preliminary political campaign for the 2004 election.<\/p>\n
According to Pramono, the mass gathering was aimed at
\nrefreshing the party's stance, mission and ideology for PDI
\nPerjuangan members in East Java.<\/p>\n
State officials who currently hold a strategic position in the
\ngovernment have been advised to relinquish one of their posts,
\nwithout necessarily leaving their party, as it could lead to
\nabuse of power.<\/p>\n
In official state visits, they reportedly often spent time for
\na session to consolidate local party members.<\/p>\n
Aside from the President and Vice President, House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais have come under
\nfire as they reportedly often use state facilities for their
\nrespective parties.<\/p>\n
In the event, Megawati also called on party members to stop
\ncoming into conflict with one another in order to keep the party
\nintact.<\/p>\n
\"The chairwoman instructed all party members to refrain from
\nusing violence by deploying the masses to express their opinions,
\nand to accept defeat with grace,\" Pramono said.<\/p>\n
Rifts in PDI Perjuangan often originate from the election of
\nparty's functionaries, election of the legislative
\nrepresentatives and executive positions, Pramono told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
\"But it is nothing serious,\" he quickly added.<\/p>\n
In April, police clashed with PDI Perjuangan members
\nprotesting against the Surabaya office party head, M. Basuki, as
\nthey attempted to break into the Surabaya legislative office.<\/p>\n
The demonstration was held by supporters of PDI Perjuangan
\nsecretary-general Sutjipto, who had allegedly fabricated
\ndocuments which resulted in the ouster of Basuki. Sutjipto has
\ndenied any wrongdoing.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-perjuangan-maintains-stance-on-dual-functions-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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