Bintang criticizes PPP congress from the sidelines

Bintang criticizes PPP congress from the sidelines

JAKARTA (JP): United Development Party (PPP) chairmanship
aspirant Sri Bintang Pamungkas, who has been relegated to the
sidelines of the ongoing party congress, accused party leaders
yesterday of engineering the gathering to protect their own
interests.

"Members of the PPP central executive board are behaving like
warlords as if they own the party," Bintang said. "And they are
treating the ordinary members as if they are of no use to the
party."

The outspoken legislator also berated party leaders for
summoning security officers to disperse his supporters who had
been protesting outside the Haj Dormitory, where the congress is
being held.

"What hurt even more was when (the congress authorities) threw
out party members and supporters, but, at the same time, invited,
and even accommodated, security personnel and 56 officials from
the Ministry of Home Affairs," he said.

On Tuesday, the second day of the four-day congress, police
forcibly broke up a student rally supporting Bintang.

Dozens of police reportedly waded into a group of around 100
students waving placards and banners in support of Bintang, who
is seeking election as head of PPP but cannot even enter the
congress compound because he does not represent any branch
office.

Police also confiscated the banners and placards, among which
read "Sri Bintang is the leader of the future." One banner read,
"We are fed up with Buya", a reference to incumbent PPP Chairman
Ismail Hasan Metareum.

Many people, including journalists, have complained about the
tight security at the congress venue.

Bintang said he was so disappointed with PPP leaders that he
has considered the possibility of establishing a new political
party.

"Political parties should be independent and conduct their
activities in a democratic way," he told the Media Indonesia
daily. "They should be respected and their position should be
equal to that of the government."

"I will resign from PPP and set up a new party if PPP leaders
(maintain their dependence) on the government," he said. "The
constitution guarantees me the right to establish a new party."

Political analyst Dr. Maswadi Rauf of the School of Social and
Political Sciences at the University of Indonesia, however,
deplored Bintang's approach to the whole affair.

"I think Bintang has made a wrong move," he told The Jakarta
Post yesterday. "He wants to be a leader, but he spends his time
slinging mud at other people instead of trying to win the
sympathy of party members."

Balance

According to Maswadi, Bintang should, for instance, balance
his criticism of the establishment and party leaders by
presenting his own concepts for the improvement of the party.

"He said he wants change, but what kind of change?" Maswadi
said. "He should 'charm' the party's leading members, instead of
mobilizing the students and forcing his wishes on other people."

Maswadi said Bintang has the potential to become a good
leader, but not for now. "He needs 10 to 15 more years to mature
and become more experienced, so that he can handle political
pressure in a mature way," he said.

The analyst also said establishing a new party may not be the
answer to the problems now besetting PPP.

It is doubtful that, even if Bintang can get around the
existing laws which recognize only three political groupings, a
new party would quickly bring about a more healthy and mature
political climate, he said.

"What Bintang, and other leaders, should do is improve the
management of the party, develop its human resources and
establish solid programs," he said. (swe)