PDIP comes under fire from experts<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): The first congress of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) crossed the finishing line
\nunimpeded, but has raised criticism from both insiders and
\noutsiders over its failure to live up to people's demands.<\/p>\n
Senior PDI Perjuangan members Suparlan and Aberson Marle
\nSihaloho expressed their disappointment with the congress for its
\ninability to touch on fundamental problems the party and the
\nnation are facing.<\/p>\n
In more ruthless criticism, political observers Indria Samego
\nand Arbi Sanit said the country's largest party had suffered a
\nmajor setback and taught a worthless political lesson to the
\npublic.<\/p>\n
\"The issue of a modern party was clearly mentioned by Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri in her address at the opening of the congress, but
\ninstead of following up the call, the congress participants were
\nbusy with the race for the key posts,\" Suparlan said here on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
He questioned the new executive board lineup, which again is
\nheaded by Megawati for the next five years, saying it did not
\nreflect a modern party and would be unable to steer PDI
\nPerjuangan to success in the 2004 general election.<\/p>\n
\"The new executive board is, of course, accommodative but no
\npotential cadres, except Kwik Kian Gie, have been recruited,\"
\nSuparlan said.<\/p>\n
Reelected chairwoman Megawati included five new faces and
\nrepresentatives of various regions and religious groups on her
\n17-member board of executives.<\/p>\n
Both of Megawati's contenders for the top post, Dimyati
\nHartono and Eros Djarot, were sidelined.<\/p>\n
Suparlan, who claimed to raise his criticism for the party's
\nbenefit, also doubted that the inclusion of cadres from various
\nregions on the executive board would guarantee that the party's
\ninternal conflicts would be settled soon.<\/p>\n
Aberson said none of the congress' decisions could address the
\ncountry's current political, economic and social problems.<\/p>\n
\"Not only Megawati, but President Abdurrahman Wahid has also
\nproposed the direct election of the president and vice president
\nin 2004, but the congress failed to take a stance on the issue,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He said he observed that the congress was a waste of money
\nbecause it served more as an event for a show of force than
\nthoughtful discussion on solving the party's existing problems.<\/p>\n
Aberson said the party also failed to issue the party's
\nrecommendations on human rights, regional autonomy and social
\ninjustice.<\/p>\n
\"If the party is committed to upholding human rights, the
\ncongress should urge the government and the legislative body to
\nmake laws, for example, on freedom of religion, freedom of union,
\nfreedom of expression and others,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Aberson, who is also a member of the House of Representatives
\nCommission for finance and the state budget, regretted that the
\ncongress did not recommend solutions to the country's economic
\nproblems, especially those of overburdened subsidies and foreign
\nloans.<\/p>\n
He said the state budget's allocation for electricity and oil
\nsubsidies would adversely affect the country's market-oriented
\neconomy because it would distort the market.<\/p>\n
\"This is an important issue but it drew no attention from the
\ncongress,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indria of the National Institute of Science said PDI
\nPerjuangan had lost the democratic attitude of respecting
\ndiversity since the very beginning of the congress.<\/p>\n
\"Only people who support Megawati were allowed to participate
\nin the event,\" Indria said on Sunday, referring to moves to ban
\nEros from the congress.<\/p>\n
He said the nomination of Megawati had generated unfair
\ncompetition, which made it impossible for both Eros and Dimyati
\nto contest the top post.<\/p>\n
\"Megawati should have withdrawn from the race in order to
\ncreate a democratic environment,\" Indria said.<\/p>\n
The fact that PDI Perjuangan failed to end its dependence on
\nMegawati gives the party a time bomb, according to Indria.<\/p>\n
\"The party will only survive the 2004 election if Megawati is
\nstill there. But if she quits, the party will simply fall apart,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"Her (Megawati's) reelection may be needed for the short-term,
\nnamely to keep the party intact. But it will be a threat to its
\nsurvival in the long run,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Arbi Sanit of the University of Indonesia labeled the just
\nconcluded congress an embarrassment to democracy in the country.<\/p>\n
\"If I were a member of the party I would resign,\" Arbi said.<\/p>\n
The composition of the executive board lineup reflected the
\nparty's intention to gain blind loyalty from its supporters,
\naccording to Arbi.<\/p>\n
\"They threw critics away, but maintained the fanatics,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Arbi predicted that in the 2004 election, intellectual people
\nwould not vote for the party. (rms\/swa\/har\/dja)<\/p>",
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