PDI Perjuangan, PPP meetings<\/p>\n
Two major political parties -- the Indonesian Democratic Party
\nof Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the United Development Party
\n(PPP) -- have been organizing a national congress and a national
\nmeeting, respectively, one in Bali and the other in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Though the names of the meetings are different, their aim is
\nthe same -- internal consolidation of the parties, which are
\nfacing disintegration.<\/p>\n
For PDI Perjuangan, the threat of disintegration was caused by
\nthe decision by its board of executives to back the reelection of
\nJakarta Governor Sutiyoso. For PPP, disintegration threatens
\nbecause of differences over when they should hold their national
\nmeeting -- whether in 2003 or 2004.<\/p>\n
It seems that PPP leaders are trying to be more accommodating,
\nputting the timing of the meeting on the agenda for its national
\ncongress. Meanwhile, there is no sign that the PDI Perjuangan
\ngathering will accommodate its members' aspirations.<\/p>\n
From these two parties, we could draw the conclusion that
\npolitical parties in this nation have yet to teach us how to
\nengage in democracy. Good democracy is one built at the
\ngrassroots level, where decisions are made from the voice of the
\npeople, the constituents. The people's voice is God's voice.<\/p>\n
However, what is happening is that party leaders have taken
\nover that voice. Parties' decisions are their leaders' voices.
\nWorse, parties are identical to their founders or leaders.
\nAlthough the reform movement has been going for five years and
\nmany political parties have emerged, the country's \"democracy\" is
\nstill similar with that of the New Order era.<\/p>\n
The voice of the people and the voice of party members mean
\nnothing.<\/p>\n
-- Republika<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-perjuangan-ppp-meetings-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }