PDI's rivalry continues with birthday parties<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The opposing camps of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) are bracing for a new round of rivalry: hosting the
\nparty's 24th anniversary revelries tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Overthrown party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri and the
\ngovernment-backed Soerjadi have each planned their own receptions
\nand expect different special guests.<\/p>\n
In an apparent trick to avoid possible disputes with the
\nauthorities over official permits, Megawati will combine the
\nevent with a breaking of the fast dinner at her residence.<\/p>\n
Megawati will throw the party at her mansion in Jakarta's
\nsouthern suburb of Pasar Minggu since the police rejected her
\nrequest to hold it in Bali, where she retains strong popular
\nsupport.<\/p>\n
Haryanto Taslam, her deputy secretary-general who organized
\nthe reception, said yesterday the party's founders, senior
\npoliticians, NGO activists and leaders of student and youth
\norganizations would be present.<\/p>\n
He criticized the police for rejecting Megawati's request, to
\ncelebrate the party's anniversary in Bali, without reason
\nalthough she had met all the necessary requirements.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the National Police Brig. Gen. Nurfaizi was not
\navailable for comment yesterday.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Soerjadi will celebrate the party's birthday in the
\nCentral Sulawesi town of Tentena.<\/p>\n
Sources close to Soerjadi said special guests would include
\ngovernment and military officials, including Minister of Home
\nAffairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal
\nTanjung.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi snatched the party's top position in a government-
\nsanctioned rebel congress June last year. Megawati has rejected
\nthe maneuver and claims she remains the legitimate PDI leader.<\/p>\n
The PDI is an amalgamation of nationalist and tiny Christian
\nparties. Since it was formed in 1973, the party has been riddled
\nwith leadership conflicts.<\/p>\n
Last July, the conflict peaked in a forced takeover of the
\nparty's headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, from the
\nhands of Megawati's loyalists by the supporters of Megawati.<\/p>\n
The incident sparked a massive rioting on a number of Jakarta
\nstreets. Five people died in the violence, over 100 were injured,
\nwhile 23 others are still missing since the incident. In
\naddition, scores of buildings were damaged. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdis-rivalry-continues-with-birthday-parties-1447893297",
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