Quo vadis PDI?<\/p>\n
The party of fusion has turned, temporarily at least, into a
\nparty of confusion. However, being an underdog, the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party could win popular support and sympathy, not out
\nof ideological persuasion (how could a fused party have an
\nideology of its own) but rather from protest votes and\/or the
\nperception that PDI has been unfairly treated. The Musyawarah
\nNasional (National Concord) of 1993, in which the eldest daughter
\nof the late president Soekarno was elected chairwoman put the
\nruckus in the PDI on the back burner. But the latest development
\nhas shown the concord has turned into a discord.<\/p>\n
Without much practical experience, but with her father's
\ncharismatic name, Megawati could be what American pollsters call
\na \"votes catcher\" -- and a strong one at that.<\/p>\n
There has indeed been great confusion as regards the purpose
\nof holding a congress at this particular time, one year before
\nthe general election. If the congress dumps the current
\nchairwoman it could have serious repercussions on PDI. It is like
\nchanging horses mid race, the new horse could flounder.<\/p>\n
If there is no intention of dethroning the incumbent
\nchairwoman, then unequivocal denial should be issued immediately.
\nAs of now, the plan to hold a congress has led to an unnecessary
\nsplit.<\/p>\n
To my non-political mind, the urgent problem now facing PDI,
\nand for the other party for that matter, is how to consolidate
\nits strategy to win votes in the general election. All bickering
\nand feuds should be put aside until after the legislative
\nelection. That would be the right time to evaluate the
\nperformance of PDI.<\/p>\n
If the main objective of holding a congress is to change the
\nchairperson then the following guesses can be made:<\/p>\n
* The congress-now group has strong reason to fear that under
\nthe current chairmanship, PDI would be unable to maintain the
\nnumber of chairs gained in the 1992 elections.<\/p>\n
* Certain PDI bigwigs probably harbor deep grudges against the
\nchairwoman, because she is not from the so-called \"inner circle\",
\nthose who have reached the top leadership from below through long
\nyears of dedication to PDI.<\/p>\n
It is not the best time to hold a party congress, unless it is
\nto discuss plans and steps to consolidate PDI strategy to face
\nthe general election. If the purpose of convening a congress is
\nto unseat Megawati, the party could be plunged into further
\nsplits and bickering.<\/p>\n
SOEGIO SOSROSOEMARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/quo-vadis-pdi-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }