Reform group proposes collective leadership of PDI-P<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A faction in the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P),
\ncalling itself the Reform Group, has suggested the upcoming party
\ncongress form a presidium to provide transitional leadership as
\nthe party moves away from current leader Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
The head of the PDI-P National Reform Movement, Didi
\nSupriyanto, said a presidium would allow the party to face future
\nchallenges, keep up with the country's changing political
\ndynamics and put an end to the PDI-P's leadership crisis.<\/p>\n
\"A presidium would provide a revolutionary way to respond to
\nchallenges. The collective leadership could include the children
\nof (founding president) Sukarno, professionals and former Cabinet
\nministers who have good domestic and international networks,\"
\nDidi was quoted as saying by Antara.<\/p>\n
He said a modern party like the PDI-P should no longer depend
\non a charismatic leader, though he acknowledged it would take the
\nparty until at least until 2009 to move out from under Megawati's
\nshadow.<\/p>\n
\"The new structure we are proposing does not mean that we do
\nnot have any candidates who are capable of filling the shoes of
\nthe current leaders. We need a combination of charismatic and
\nmodern leaders to help strengthen the party ahead of the 2009
\nelections,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said such a step was necessary to remove people from around
\nMegawati whom he likened to Dorna, the cunning teacher and
\nadviser to Pandawa and Kurawa in the Mahabharata myth.<\/p>\n
\"If the structure is maintained as it is with Megawati holding
\npower, those Durnas will take full advantage at the expense of
\nthe party,\" Didi said.<\/p>\n
PDI-P secretary-general Sutjipto, deputy leader Gunawan
\nWirosarojo and deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung, known as
\nthe Gang of Three, are as seen by many in the party as wielding
\nexcessive power and influence over Megawati.<\/p>\n
These three were blamed by some in the party for PDI-P's
\ndisappointing showing in the 2004 legislative election and
\nMegawati's loss in the presidential election.<\/p>\n
Megawati's brother, Guruh Soekarnoputra, said a presidium
\nwould help turn the PDI-P into a modern party.<\/p>\n
\"I agree with the proposed new structure. The PDI-P needs
\nsurgery to heal its chronic illness,\" Guruh, seen by some as a
\npossible contender to Megawati for leadership of the party at
\nits congress from March 28 through April 2 in Denpasar, Bali.<\/p>\n
The proposal, however, may never be formally heard because the
\ncongress' organizing committee has banned the reform group,
\nincluding Guruh and businessmen-cum-politician Arifin Panigoro,
\nfrom the event.<\/p>\n
Didi, Postdam Hutasoit and Sukowaluyo Mintoharjo have also
\nbeen dropped from the congress' steering committee.<\/p>\n
Megawati gave a cool response to the group's proposal, saying
\ndemocracy allowed them to express their opinions.<\/p>\n
\"The question is whether the movement is in line with the
\nparty's statutes,\" Megawati said in Denpasar.<\/p>\n
Megawati is a favorite to win her third consecutive five-year
\nterm at the party's helm, with the majority of the party's
\nregency chapters nominating her as leader for the 2004-2009 term.<\/p>\n
The head of the congress' organizing committee, Roy B.B.
\nJanis, denied the organizers had banned Megawati critics from the
\nevent.<\/p>\n
\"They just have not received their invitations. I have not
\nreceived my invitation either because we have not mailed them
\nyet,\" Roy said.<\/p>\n
Complaints about late invitations were not on the agenda of a
\npreparatory meeting on Monday, Roy said. He added that congress
\nparticipants could contact their respective regional offices to
\nobtain invitations.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reform-group-proposes-collective-leadership-of-pdi-p-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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