PDI's consolidation efforts hit snag<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Consolidation efforts within the rift-ridden
\nIndonesian Democratic Party (PDI) has hit snags in East Java and
\nSouth Sulawesi, party chief Megawati Soekarnoputri said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
In the remaining 25 provinces, consolidation has been achieved
\nwith few obstacles, Megawati said when meeting with Home Affairs
\nMinister Moch. Yogie S.M. yesterday.<\/p>\n
Megawati was accompanied by other top party leaders, deputy
\nchairpersons Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno and Fatimah Achmad and
\nSecretary-General Alexander Litaay.<\/p>\n
She discussed, in particular, the dragging problem PDI faces
\nin East Java, where the local government bans her from meeting
\nwith her supporters.<\/p>\n
In the 30-minute meeting, Megawati said that she would keep
\ntrying to seek permission from the East Java government to meet
\nher supporters.<\/p>\n
The problem in East Java stems from the local government's
\nrefusal to recognize the chairmanship of the East Java party
\nchapter, Sutjipto, an ardent supporter of Megawati.<\/p>\n
Megawati appointed Sutjipto to replace the government-backed
\nLatief Pudjosakti, an ardent critic of Megawati, after a congress
\nfailed to elect a new chairman last year.<\/p>\n
The East Java authorities refuse to issue a permit for any
\ngathering on the grounds that her presence could spark physical
\nclashes between her supporters and foes.<\/p>\n
Megawati, late President Sukarno's daughter, who was elected
\nby a popular vote in 1993 to lead the PDI, said she wanted to
\nvisit East Java in the near future.<\/p>\n
She declined to explain the problem that PDI faces in South
\nSulawesi.<\/p>\n
\"We have lost a lot of time, almost a year, due to this
\nproblem. The Minister of Home Affair said he also wants to see it
\nresolved, so that we can accomplish other major tasks,\" she told
\nreporters.<\/p>\n
She added that the party has been busy preparing for the
\nupcoming 1997 general election.<\/p>\n
Megawati said she is relieved to hear the minister of home
\naffairs reiterate time and again that the government recognizes
\nonly her leadership because she was elected constitutionally.<\/p>\n
\"This should mean that the party has the constitutional
\ngrounds and rights to resolve its internal problems and to do
\nwhat we think is right,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Yogie reasserted Monday that the government rejects the rival
\nleadership of PDI under Yusuf Merukh, who has set up rival
\nexecutive boards in various provinces.(pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdis-consolidation-efforts-hit-snag-1447893297",
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