Sowing discord<\/p>\n
The new breakthrough by Amien Rais and other Islamic parties
\nto form a reform faction and to propose Nahdlatul Ulama chairman
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, as a presidential
\ncandidate must be watched as an effort to sow discord in the PASO
\ngroup consisting of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\n(PDI Perjuangan), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the
\nNational Mandate Party (PAN). This group will support -- in a
\nlogical, democratic and just way -- Megawati as its presidential
\ncandidate because the number of votes obtained by PDI Perjuangan
\nin the general election far exceeded the total of votes gained by
\nPKB and PAN.<\/p>\n
It is most regrettable that Amien Rais did not consider the
\nmatter thoroughly. He showed himself to be hard-hearted by
\nslighting PDI Perjuangan, which has never defaulted on its
\npromises and has never acted negatively toward PAN. If the
\nbreakthrough were initiated by the United Development Party (PPP)
\nor other political parties outside the PASO group, it would
\ncertainly be understandable, but PAN's links with the PASO group
\nmakes the statement unethical.<\/p>\n
Does Amien Rais not realize that the new breakthrough will sow
\ndiscord among the three big political parties, thus facilitating
\nGolkar and its cronies and enable them to remain in power?<\/p>\n
Whatever the reason, Amien Rais should have stated his
\nposition on whether he wanted to adhere to the PASO communique or
\nto withdraw from the group.<\/p>\n
Fortunately that apart from Gus Dur himself who continues to
\nchampion Megawati, PKB too through Mr. Matori's clear statement
\nconsistently has proposed Megawati as its presidential candidate
\nbecause in the PASO group PDI Perjuangan has won the general
\nelection.<\/p>\n
I, and perhaps other supporters of PDI Perjuangan, PKB and PAN
\ntoo, since before the general election put great hopes on the
\nsolidity of the unity of the three political parties because they
\nhave a common platform of nationalism, making them capable of
\npreventing the return of Golkar and Habibie to rule over this
\ncountry. I urge that the three political party leaders
\nimmediately sit at the same table to jointly prepare and carry
\nout steps leading to the toppling of the status quo government.<\/p>\n
Amien Rais should exert some patience until the legalization
\nof the general election results by the General Elections
\nCommission (KPU) and the government, and should refrain from
\nmaking other breakthroughs which could tarnish his own and his
\nparty's name and add to the people's confusion. Let the parties
\nwith a significant number of votes take the initiative. Amien
\nRais is well placed to successfully play a supporting role.<\/p>\n
WISDARMANTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sowing-discord-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }