PDI renews calls for bureaucratic reform<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government-recognized Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) marked its 25th anniversary celebration over the
\nweekend with a fresh call for bureaucratic reforms.<\/p>\n
PDI chairman Soerjadi said in his speech Saturday highlighting
\nthe modest celebration that such reforms are of great
\nsignificance, particularly when the country is trying to lift
\nitself out of the monetary crisis.<\/p>\n
\"The ongoing crisis teaches us a lesson that economic ailments
\ncannot be healed by our economic machine alone ... We need an
\nefficient, transparent, rational and law abiding bureaucracy to
\nsupport economic restoration,\" he told 100 attendants, including
\nthe party's top brass.<\/p>\n
A breakaway celebration was held separately by supporters of
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, who was ousted from the party's
\nleadership in a government-backed congress in June 1996.<\/p>\n
PDI has been beleaguered with internal conflict since its
\nestablishment as a fusion of tiny Christian and nationalist
\nparties on Jan. 10, 1973.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi said Saturday bureaucratic reforms suggested a
\nmassive drive to combat corruption which he said resulted in
\ninefficiency and the withering away of public confidence in the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
\"A good bureaucracy will boost economic growth and equal
\ndistribution of income and lay a conducive ground for national
\nstability,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Next on the reform agenda was building a professional
\nbureaucracy which does not affiliate itself to a certain
\npolitical organization, Soerjadi said.<\/p>\n
\"The inevitable free trade will require us to dissolve those
\ntraditional characteristics of our bureaucracy. We believe that a
\nclean government is all that we can rely on when we are facing
\nthe present crisis or other adversities that may come in the
\nfuture,\" he said.<\/p>\n
PDI and fellow minority party, the Moslem-based United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP), have long complained about the
\nbureaucracy's monoloyalty to dominant Golkar, winner of each of
\nthe six general elections held under the New Order since 1971.<\/p>\n
The party recently delivered a motion on a clean and modern
\nbureaucracy to the People's Consultative Assembly, but it was
\nruled out.<\/p>\n
Elections<\/p>\n
Soerjadi said bureaucratic reforms would not proceed without a
\ndemocratic mechanism which allowed the House of Representatives
\nto control the government.<\/p>\n
He blamed the House for failing to effectively control the
\ngovernment on Golkar's all-out efforts to win majority votes in
\nthe general elections.<\/p>\n
Golkar secured a record 74 percent of votes in the May 29
\nelection last year, which was marred by sporadic riots and vote
\nrigging allegations. The victory earned Golkar 325 seats in the
\nHouse.<\/p>\n
PDI, weakened by an internal split, suffered its worst defeat
\never, managing to secure only 11 out of the 425 seats up for
\ngrabs.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi reiterated Saturday PDI's demand for changes to the
\nelection rules to ensure a fair and just poll.<\/p>\n
\"The present election rules restrict political organizations
\nfrom reaching their grassroots in villages and taking part in the
\nmost important stages of the polls, namely the registration of
\neligible voters, voting and ballot counting,\" he said.<\/p>\n
PDI and PPP have urged the People's Consultative Assembly to
\nestablish decrees which would allow political organizations
\ncontesting the polls to play an administrative role in the
\nelections and to set up branches in villages.<\/p>\n
The two motions are currently being deliberated in the
\nAssembly, but are facing stiff opposition from Golkar. (amd)<\/p>",
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