A lesson for PDI Perjuangan

A lesson for PDI Perjuangan

From Sinar Pagi

"Willing to be reelected." These words were uttered by former
president Soeharto. At that time, he gave the impression of
having failed in training anyone to take over the national
leadership. There were indications he was going to be president
for life. His failure was also the failure of Golkar in readying
anyone for the leadership.

This should serve as a lesson for the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). First, Megawati Soekarnoputri
does not need to copy Soeharto. She should state her rejection of
being reelected as chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan. Second,
willingness to be reelected signifies a failure in grooming
replacements for the party leadership. Third, it can be said that
a cult of an individual is seemingly the only means to unite a
party, but this will weaken the feeling of cohesion and unity
among the leaders of the party itself.

There are two opinions, first that there is no prohibition
against Megawati being reelected chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan.
Second, that a combination of the function of statesman and party
leader exists, as in the case of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir
Mohamad, former British prime minister John Major and Australian
prime minister John Howard. Nevertheless, the spirit of the 1945
Constitution, apart from not supporting these above opinions, is
also different from the spirit of the constitutions in Malaysia,
Britain and Australia. There are eight pillars for statesmen in
this country, and they originate in the 1945 Constitution. The
eight pillars constitute a whole, rounded, complete, perfect
(integral) system for all statesmen of the modern era of
globalization.

First, they should be above all ideologies of an individual or
group. Second, they should not to take sides with the strongest
and biggest group. Third, they should not above all consider
individual interests. Fourth, They should not associate oneself
with the biggest group in the community. Fifth, they should not
be one with the strongest political or economic group. Sixth,
they should create an atmosphere of unity between the people and
their leader, and among community groups with the spirit of
mutual help and creating a big family. Seventh, they should
ensure public interest and the security of national life on the
whole, as an inseparable unity. Eighth, they should not create an
institution of power or a political monster which may abuse
individual rights.

The spirit of our Constitution does not know the principle of
dual function, in which a statesman is at the same time a party
leader.

SUNGKOWO SOKAWERA

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