Sophan refuses ambassadorship<\/p>\n
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) member
\nSophan Sophiaan has turned down the offer of an ambassadorial job
\nin Japan, which the party sees as a settlement to their dispute.<\/p>\n
Sophan said, after a weekly party meeting in Jakarta on
\nTuesday, that he would not accept the offer due as \"I don't think
\nI could represent the country while I feel that my stance is not
\nin accordance with the political condition of the nation.\"<\/p>\n
\"Nevertheless, I will remain true to the party's struggle
\nalong with my friends here, as I'm a co-founder and have helped
\nraise the party.\"<\/p>\n
Sophan attended the meeting to disclose the reasons behind his
\ndecision to resign as a party legislator at the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
\nHe headed the party's MPR faction.<\/p>\n
The party failed to decide whether it would accept his
\nresignation before or after it had found a suitable post for him.
\n Among the options given to Sophan were the ambassadorial job in
\nJapan and an advisory position within the party.<\/p>\n
Party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the
\npresident, presided over the meeting.<\/p>\n
According to the Constitution, the selection of ambassadors is
\nthe President's prerogative.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung Wibowo
\nsaid that the party considered Sophan's resignation his
\nindividual right.<\/p>\n
\"Since Pak Sophan has promised to remain in the party and be a
\npart of our struggle, we would hold this decision until the party
\ncan decide on a respectable position for him,\" Pramono said,
\naccompanied by Sophan.<\/p>\n
Sophan said he received a positive response from party members
\nwhen explaining his resignation. But he lamented the delay in the
\nparty's response to his move.<\/p>\n
\"Personally, I think the matter is final... I regretted the
\nparty's stance of not making any decision and I also don't know
\nuntil when (they will do so),\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sophan announced his resignation last month. It came against
\nthe backdrop of a visible split in PDI Perjuangan over whether to
\nsupport the formation of a House special committee to investigate
\nthe misuse of Rp 40 billion of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog)
\nfunds in 1999 involving then state minister\/secretary Akbar
\nTandjung, the current House Speaker.<\/p>\n
Sophan has said he quit the DPR and MPR due to his
\nexasperation with politicians who were too busy fighting for
\ntheir own interests instead of voicing the people's aspirations.<\/p>\n
He, however, refused to link his move to the dispute within
\nhis party.<\/p>\n
\"I cannot get along in the current political climate, and I
\ntold the other members of the party that perhaps I am not so
\ntough as them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As for the rumors saying that there are also other members who
\nwould like to resign, Sophan said it was merely hollow talk
\nspread by those who wished to destroy PDI Perjuangan.<\/p>\n
On the same issue, Pramono said the party had verified the
\nrumors, first voiced, but later denied, by party member Heri
\nAhmadi.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sophan-refuses-ambassadorship-1447893297",
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