Chaos breaks out in Surabaya PMII congress
Chaos breaks out in Surabaya PMII congress
SURABAYA (JP): Chaos broke out at the congress of the Islamic
Student Movement Association (PMII) yesterday when hundreds of
participants ditched talking in favor demonstrating at the
meeting.
The protesters accused the organizing committee of holding a
forum full of political intrigue.
The Surabaya chapter delegates, who arranged and hosted the
meeting in the Sukolilo haj dormitory, walked out of the
congress.
The organization has an important position in Moslem society,
given its affiliation with Indonesia's largest Islamic
organization Nahdlatul Ulama.
Surabaya branch chairman Machrus Ali said the congress was
"deplorable and of no quality at all" because those vying for
chairmanship of the association cared only about winning.
"The most important agenda of the organization has been
neglected... they only think about their own interests," Machrus
said.
The protesters waved banners outside the haj dormitory, one of
which read: "Kongres Kacau, Demokrasi Bukan Basa-Basi" (Congress
is a mess, democracy -- not just words).
The Surabaya chapter said they would reject the outcome of the
congress.
Proceedings at the congress have been rocky since it opened
Monday.
At one stage it was marred by a brawl between participants
protesting the sloppy organization of the congress.
At another point, a candidate for chairman fled the venue
following death threats from some of the participants.
PMII Secretary-General Rusydin M. Noer said he was not
surprised by yesterday's walkout.
He said he agreed with the branch's position.
"I am really sorry for this congress, it's the worst congress
in the history of PMII," Rusydin told The Jakarta Post.
In spite of the protests the 15 candidates for chairman
proceeded to brief reporters about their plans for the
organization should they be elected.
Most congress participants did not watch the press briefing as
it was held outside the scheduled agenda.
Instead, they took turns at a free speech forum to slam the
organization's central board for losing control of the congress.
(nur/aan)