Cloning political party

Cloning political party

Dimyati Hartono, a senior member of Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) who left the party in
discouragement at its failure to promote reforms, is
contemplating the formation of a new political party. But look
how Mr. Dimyati has begun: by seeking the support of Ms.
Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, the President's estranged sibling.

A political party that calls itself reformist is relying on a
well-connected name, instead of ideas, to draw members. What kind
of members will the new party appeal to if, instead of offering a
new vision and enunciating new policies, it merely presents
another well-connected face to people? The current fractious,
figurehead-oriented system of political parties is a major
impediment to democracy and reform.

The country doesn't need a clone of the other political
parties; it may not need another political party at all. It does
need someone to figure out a better way to ensure that the party
system will be reformed in time to yield better results in the
next general election.

DONNA K. WOODWARD

Medan, North Sumatra