Brother denies Taufik's powerful role in congress
Brother denies Taufik's powerful role in congress
SEMARANG (JP): A younger brother of Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas denied allegations on
Thursday that Taufik had maneuvered behind the scenes to campaign
for his wife's reelection as chairwoman of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
Two leading party figures, Dimyati Hartono and Eros Djarot,
are going ahead with their plans to contest the election for
party chief, which will be held toward the end of party congress.
Their plans have met strong opposition, including the use of
intimidation, and many have pointed their fingers at Taufik as
the instigator.
"Taufik is not involved in any political engineering or a plot
to block Dimyati and Eros' bids," Santayana told The Jakarta
Post.
Taufik has not been involved in organizing the congress or the
campaign to reelect Megawati, Santayana pointed out.
"I know Megawati. As party chairwoman, Vice President and
stateswoman she would never let anyone, not even Taufik, tarnish
the party's image or her leadership of the party," he said.
"It's only natural that Taufik, as her husband and a party
cadre, would give advice when needed. Megawati is already
surrounded by noted politicians and intellectuals," he said.
Santayana said his membership and Taufik's in the party and in
legislative bodies had nothing to do with Megawati's position in
the party.
"Our father and grandfather were loyal followers of founding
president Sukarno's movement in South Sumatra in the past."
Santayana, who is a member of the Jakarta legislative council,
said both Dimyati and Eros were free to contest the election as
long as they had the approval of the congress.
Given the strong support she enjoys, Megawati's reelection has
been considered a foregone conclusion even before the congress
began.
But Dimyati has urged her to drop out of the race in order to
concentrate more on her state duties.
Neither Eros nor Dimyati had changed their plans to contest
the election by Thursday night, although the majority of
delegates have openly expressed support for Megawati.
Santayana said PDI Perjuangan still needed Megawati's
leadership to contest the next general election and presidential
election in 2004.
"So, if she is reelected, it will not be due to political
engineering, intimidation or terror tactics. It will be because
she is needed by the people whose aspirations are channeled by
delegates in this congress," he said.
Santayana proposed that the congress appoint a five-member
committee, which would include Megawati, to form the party's new
central executive board.
Some participants have proposed the appointment of Megawati to
the committee and suggested she be allowed to pick her own
advisers to deliberate on the lineup of the new board.
Santayana said the congress should formulate the party's
political platform and programs, which should focus on political
education. (rms)
SEMARANG (JP): A younger brother of Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas denied allegations on
Thursday that Taufik had maneuvered behind the scenes to campaign
for his wife's reelection as chairwoman of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
Two leading party figures, Dimyati Hartono and Eros Djarot,
are going ahead with their plans to contest the election for
party chief, which will be held toward the end of party congress.
Their plans have met strong opposition, including the use of
intimidation, and many have pointed their fingers at Taufik as
the instigator.
"Taufik is not involved in any political engineering or a plot
to block Dimyati and Eros' bids," Santayana told The Jakarta
Post.
Taufik has not been involved in organizing the congress or the
campaign to reelect Megawati, Santayana pointed out.
"I know Megawati. As party chairwoman, Vice President and
stateswoman she would never let anyone, not even Taufik, tarnish
the party's image or her leadership of the party," he said.
"It's only natural that Taufik, as her husband and a party
cadre, would give advice when needed. Megawati is already
surrounded by noted politicians and intellectuals," he said.
Santayana said his membership and Taufik's in the party and in
legislative bodies had nothing to do with Megawati's position in
the party.
"Our father and grandfather were loyal followers of founding
president Sukarno's movement in South Sumatra in the past."
Santayana, who is a member of the Jakarta legislative council,
said both Dimyati and Eros were free to contest the election as
long as they had the approval of the congress.
Given the strong support she enjoys, Megawati's reelection has
been considered a foregone conclusion even before the congress
began.
But Dimyati has urged her to drop out of the race in order to
concentrate more on her state duties.
Neither Eros nor Dimyati had changed their plans to contest
the election by Thursday night, although the majority of
delegates have openly expressed support for Megawati.
Santayana said PDI Perjuangan still needed Megawati's
leadership to contest the next general election and presidential
election in 2004.
"So, if she is reelected, it will not be due to political
engineering, intimidation or terror tactics. It will be because
she is needed by the people whose aspirations are channeled by
delegates in this congress," he said.
Santayana proposed that the congress appoint a five-member
committee, which would include Megawati, to form the party's new
central executive board.
Some participants have proposed the appointment of Megawati to
the committee and suggested she be allowed to pick her own
advisers to deliberate on the lineup of the new board.
Santayana said the congress should formulate the party's
political platform and programs, which should focus on political
education. (rms)