Basofi and PDI

Basofi and PDI

As an extension of the policies of the home minister, in his function as domestic political mentor, East Java Governor Basofi Sudirman's intervention in the conflict within the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) can, to a certain extent, be justified. However, because it is done too frequently and incessantly, this intervention gives the impression of partiality towards one party in the conflict.

After a meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. in Jakarta on Tuesday, Basofi once again made it clear that the East Java provincial administration remained firm in its wish that a meeting be held between the Latief camp and that of Soetjipto. This meeting must be attended by board representatives of 37 local chapters and the party's central board.

This stance, taken by Basofi, will cause the East Java PDI problem to drag on endlessly. Thus far, the party chairperson, Megawati Soekarnoputri, has kept insisting that if such a meeting be held, representatives of all the 500-odd local East Java chapters be present. Why does Basofi want only 37 local chapters? It appears that Basofi's and Megawati's desires will never meet.

By naming 37, Basofi has gone too far. Whether 37 or 500 chapters will be present, this is entirely an internal matter to be decided on by the PDI -- and not according to a design which is labeled a proposal but whose actual intent is one of coercion.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta