Academics slam PDI congress as destructive
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)