PPP faces mounting obstacles in regions, delegates say<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): As the elites of the United Development Party
\n(PPP) wrestle over leadership positions at their ongoing
\ncongress, some regional cadres warn that the party must never
\nabandon its supporters in the outlying areas.<\/p>\n
Delegates from Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and Irian Jaya said
\nseparately yesterday that they face mounting obstacles and
\nchallenges in maintaining their existence.<\/p>\n
Although most of them are confident that the party will
\ncontinue to command the loyalty of its traditional supporters,
\nthey need to mount a better campaign for the next election in
\n1997.<\/p>\n
PPP's support has ebbed significantly in the three elections
\nsince 1977. The party remains strong in Java and Sumatra but is
\nvery weak elsewhere in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
PPP holds one seat in Bali's provincial council, and none in
\nWest Nusa Tenggara whereas it held 13 in 1997.<\/p>\n
Delegates to the PPP congress from these provinces however
\nsaid they are still keeping the faith.<\/p>\n
They said loyalty is the most important element in uniting the
\nparty's followers and supporters.<\/p>\n
They said however that the PPP leadership which will be
\nelected at this congress could play a greater role in creating an
\natmosphere more conducive to the party's development in the
\nregions, including recruiting the young generation.<\/p>\n
Eddy Sunyoto, chairman of the Badung branch in Bali, said a
\ncorrect approach to the young people would go a long way in
\nwinning the hearts and minds of Indonesia's youths.<\/p>\n
PPP has been able to maintain its existence in the
\npredominantly Hindu province because young Balinese respect the
\nparty and the programs it offers, Sunyoto said. \"We will continue
\nto exist in Bali.\"<\/p>\n
Strongholds<\/p>\n
PPP's main strongholds in Bali are Jembrana, Singaraja and
\nDenpasar.<\/p>\n
Sunyoto said most leadership positions at PPP's branch offices
\nin Bali are filled with people from the young generation.<\/p>\n
They were recruited through religious activities, he said.
\n\"But we don't politicize religion to get their support.\"<\/p>\n
M. Noerilyas, secretary for Bima branch in West Nusa Tenggara,
\nechoed Sunyoto's statement that the party needs leaders who could
\nkeep the party alive.<\/p>\n
Noerilyas said that the PPP's main target in the province is
\nto win back the 13 seats that have been lost in the last three
\nelections.<\/p>\n
He said that PPP support in the region has never declined and
\nthat the party now boasts commissariats in more than 300
\nvillages.<\/p>\n
The party lost the seats largely because of electoral fraud,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Muhaji, chairman of Bali's Karangasem branch, also complained
\nof widespread cheating in his patch during the general election.
\n\"We caught a security official red-handed tampering with the
\nballots,\" he said. \"We also faced intimidation,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Abdul Rasjid Arfan, chairman of the PPP faction at the Irian
\nJaya Council, said he had difficulties in recruiting new members
\nbecause most people in the province are already affiliated with
\nthe other two political parties.<\/p>\n
He said the new PPP leadership should be more aggressive if it
\nwants to maintain its presence in the province because of the
\ndifficulties it faces. PPP has 10 branches with stronghold areas
\nin Yapen, Moropen and Serui.<\/p>\n
The 65-year-old who was born in Sorong said that young people
\nin the area have little knowledge about politics. \"In election
\ncampaigns, for instance, only the older generation took part,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
He said efforts to open up commissariats in villages were
\noften hampered by local government officials.<\/p>\n
Arfan also said the party's branch had to find its own
\ncampaigners because the central executive board did not provide
\nthem, and this sometimes meant fielding campaigners with little
\nknowledge of the party's affairs.<\/p>\n
Arfan said the party will maintain its existence because it
\nhas loyal supporters. \"I am sure that the party will exist. But
\nour future is in the hands of God,\" he added. (par)<\/p>",
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