ABRI awaits govt ruling on Megawati
JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) is backing off from the Indonesian Democratic Party's (PDI) leadership row, pledging to support whatever stance the government takes on the dispute.
ABRI, which in the past had failed to refrain from jumping into the fray, now refuses to indicate who they recognize as the party's legitimate leader.
Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made it clear yesterday that ABRI would not "pursue its own interests" in the matter.
"It would be inappropriate for ABRI to unilaterally grant legitimacy to a certain political power," he said after addressing students attending a lecture at the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas). "It would be more suitable for the government (to decide whether) to recognize Megawati Soekarnoputri."
If President B.J. Habibie's administration decides to recognize the ousted chairwoman, "ABRI will play an integral part in the whole process", he added.
Susilo suggested, however, that the government's decision over the matter should be acceptable to all and "future-oriented".
Megawati was ousted as chairwoman of the party by Soerjadi in a government-backed congress in 1996.
She and her supporters have insisted that they are the party's true leaders and have filed dozens of lawsuits challenging the legality of the congress and Soerjadi's validity.
The Supreme Court is under pressure to announce a decision soon on a lawsuit filed by Megawati against Soerjadi and several cabinet members, including current Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid. It will decide whether she has grounds to proceed with her suit, filed with the Central Jakarta District Court two years ago.
Susilo dismissed speculation that ABRI Headquarters was involved in granting Megawati's faction "permission" to hold a three-day congress last week, saying it was completely the government's decision.
Organized by Megawati's loyalists, the congress ended peacefully without any police effort to disband it, unlike previous instances.
Yesterday in Yogyakarta, Minister of Justice Muladi acknowledged that the Supreme Court was facing risks in its handling of the PDI affair.
"It's a test for the judiciary... a test for its integrity." he was quoted by Antara as saying. "A good verdict would help legal reform."
"Let's just wait for the decision, and hope that there won't be any trouble (following the verdict)," he said.
The chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council, A.A. Baramuli, suggested PDI be allowed to solve its dispute internally.
He also said PDI congresses -- by either camp -- should not be held until after a Supreme Court verdict.
Soerjadi's camp has announced plans to hold a congress in Palu, Central Sulawesi, from Aug. 26 to Aug. 30. Congress organizers claim they have invited President B.J. Habibie to open the forum.
Soerjadi's followers have created a local congress committee here which will officially be installed this Friday, Antara reported yesterday.
Local committee chairman, Karto Dg. Nappa, said 259 out of 312 party branches had responded to the invitation, promising to attend the five-day congress.
Megawati's camp has decided to hold another congress in Yogyakarta or Bali in October. (imn)