Academics slam PDI congress as destructive
SEMARANG (JP): Academics yesterday criticized a proposal by dissidents in the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) to hold a congress, saying that based on their past track record a congress would only perpetuate rather than solve the party's internal strife.
Political expert Cornelius Lay, of Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta, said the aim of such a congress is merely to coerce certain concessions from PDI chief Megawati Soekarnoputri's camp so she would no longer be a threat to the ruling Golkar organization in next year's general election.
"The Congress can be used as a tool of intimidation to force Megawati into giving political concessions," said Cornelius, who has been a long-time observer of the party.
He suggested that attempts to undermine Megawati's chairmanship stem from a psychological fear of PDI evolving into a major political force which could disrupt the political constellation.
"On the individual level there is a rivalry between Megawati and another new star who's charisma is still dimmer than Megawati. On the organizational level there is anxiety from Golkar about losing more votes," he said.
Led by legislator Fatimah Achmad, Megawati's deputy, a group of dissidents claiming to have the support of a majority of the regional branches, is demanding a special congress in an apparent bid to oust the popular Megawati.
Several cabinet ministers, such as Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, have expressed their support for the congress.
Megawati, daughter of the late president Sukarno, has rejected the planned congress arguing that, based on the party's constitution, it lacks legal foundation.
"Looking back on its history it would be naive for anyone to think that a congress is the solution. On the contrary a congress becomes a starting point for new problems," said Cornelius.
He pointed out that none of the organizational mechanisms within PDI have proven capable of solving the party's internal problems.
Cornelius also noted the heavy financial and political costs of another PDI congress.
It took an extraordinary PDI congress in Jakarta in 1993 before Megawati could be formally inducted as chairman. Two earlier congresses had ended in discord.
Meanwhile, Susilo Utomo, a political observer from Diponegoro University in Semarang questioned the government's interference in the matter.
He argued that based on the laws and regulations of the party the government has no right to give a "green light" to another congress.
He maintained that it is illogical to have a congress while the current executive board is still serving.
Soesilo then said that the solution to the problem could not be found by holding a congress.
The lecturer at the faculty of social and political sciences said that a congress so near to the election would not be beneficial to either PDI itself or the government.
Meanwhile in Jakarta, PDI member Berar Fathia said that Megawati should concede to having another congress.
She maintained that the aim of it is not to overthrow Megawati and thus the leader should not be suspicious.
"It would be foolish if the congress tried to overthrow Megawati. Remember that the increased number of seats that PDI won in the legislature for the 1993-1998 term would not have been possible without the figure of Megawati, who has large mass support," said Berar who has nominated herself as president.
She then went on to criticize Megawati's leadership saying that while PDI had gained many votes, her tenure has failed in molding an atmosphere of political openness among the people.(har/mds)