Trouble brewing in PDI's chapter in Jakarta too<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chairperson
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri faced another potentially explosive
\nsituation as the party's chapter in Jakarta opened its congress
\nlast night.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta chapter's incumbent chairperson MAS Alex
\nAsmasoebrata, who is also a Megawati protege, appears to have
\nlost grassroots support as not a single branch has come out in
\nsupport of his reelection on the eve of the congress.<\/p>\n
Alex, himself a controversial figure in PDI, was not deterred
\nand insisted on running for a third five-year term in office even
\nthough his chances of winning were minimal.<\/p>\n
\"Not only am I ready to be nominated, but I will also serve in
\nany lesser capacity for the sake of the party,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that the party had been somewhat \"pompous\" in
\nthe past but promised that he would make amends if he gets
\nreelected.<\/p>\n
Last night he also pleaded with fellow PDI leaders to forge
\nunity in the chapter saying that this is the only way for the
\nparty to grow.<\/p>\n
The congress of the PDI Jakarta was opened last night by
\nMegawati, who in her keynote address reminded the delegates that
\nthe Jakarta chapter hold a strategic position in the party's
\nstrength.<\/p>\n
Also present at the opening ceremony was Jakarta Governor
\nSurjadi Soedirja and M.H. Ritonga, the chairman of the Jakarta
\nCity Council.<\/p>\n
The congress is scheduled to wind up today with the election
\nof the new chairman and other appointment of the chapter's
\nexecutive board.<\/p>\n
Dissension<\/p>\n
Megawati was elected to the party's leadership by a popular
\nvote at PDI's congress last December. She has been facing
\ndissension in a number of regions, including Aceh, North Sumatra,
\nWest Java and East Java. In some of these regions, the party is
\nsplit with the formation of rival boards, one pro-Megawati and
\nthe other opposed to her.<\/p>\n
The rebel party members also objected to what they said was
\nher interference in the party's regional affairs.<\/p>\n
Alex, a wealthy businessman and a racecar driver, played a
\nprominent role in Megawati's election last December. He is also
\nbelieved to have close relations with the government which, given
\nthe reputation of the party, could either be a major asset or a
\nliability for a PDI leader.<\/p>\n
Alex, however, has been widely blamed for letting PDI slip in
\nJakarta during the last election. PDI's seats in the City Council
\ndropped from 14 out of 60 seats in 1987 to a mere 13 of the
\nexpanded 75-strong council.<\/p>\n
Alex last year was acquitted by a Jakarta court of accusation
\nthat he ordered the beating rebel PDI supporters in 1992. An
\nindictment would have costed him his political career for good.<\/p>\n
His contenders are Hamad Ginting of the North Jakarta branch,
\nSubur Budiman and Marwan Adam, both members of the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR), Hendro S. Soebroto and Lukman F.
\nMokoginta, both of the Central Jakarta branch.<\/p>\n
Lukman, who chairs the Jakarta branch, appears to be the main
\ncontender and is claiming that he has the support of all the five
\nbranches in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Lukman tossed his cap into the ring yesterday just hours
\nbefore the congress began by calling a luncheon conference with
\njournalists. \"If I'm elected, I will make PDI an even better
\nchoice for youths, students and the poor,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Lukman, 45, is also a businessman and boss of the Young
\nDemocrats, a youth organization affiliated with the PDI.
\n(par\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/trouble-brewing-in-pdis-chapter-in-jakarta-too-1447893297",
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