Yogie denies ban on Megawati in E. Java<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch Yogie S.M.
\nyesterday denied allegations that Megawati Soekarnoputri, the
\nchairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), has become
\na persona non-grata in East Java.<\/p>\n
\"Who said that? It's a lie,\" Yogie told reporters after
\nattending a hearing at the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Yogie pointed out that Megawati visited Kediri last week to
\nsee the laying of the first stone of PDI's office in the East
\nJava city. \"Does that look like she's been banned to you?\"<\/p>\n
He was responding to press reports saying that Megawati has
\nbeen prevented from meeting with her supporters in East Java.<\/p>\n
The PDI chairperson has been trying to install the chairman of
\nthe party's chapter in East Java for the past month but has been
\nunable to do so because authorities in Surabaya declined to issue
\na permit for such a gathering.<\/p>\n
A number of other cities in the province have also barred
\nMegawati from addressing her supporters, saying that her presence
\nwould further fuel the conflict between party members who support
\nher leadership and those who reject her.<\/p>\n
Yogie promised to help PDI resolve its problems. \"A father has
\nto help his child,\" he said underlining his role as the chief
\nsupervisor of all political organizations.<\/p>\n
He added that he plans to talk with East Java Governor Basofi
\nSoedirman and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung to discuss
\nthe PDI issue in the very near future.<\/p>\n
Yogie was also asked about his policy regarding the Marhaen
\nPeople's Movement, an organization first established by
\nMegawati's father, the late president Sukarno.<\/p>\n
Yogie said Marhaen was not recognized the first time around
\nbecause it failed to state Pancasila as the organization's
\nideology.<\/p>\n
Marhaen leaders, including another of Sukarno's daughters
\nSukmawati Soekarnoputri, last week complained that the
\norganization could not function properly without government
\nrecognition.<\/p>\n
They also said that Marhaen has adopted Pancasila as its
\nideology.<\/p>\n
Yogie said if that was the case, then the organization could
\nrefile for registration. (emb)<\/p>",
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