Congress expands board, excludes Megawati

Congress expands board, excludes Megawati

JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party
opposed to chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri named yesterday a
new central executive board which has been expanded to
accommodate as many of the factions of the party as possible.

Megawati, who has denounced the congress as unconstitutional,
was not named in the new line up despite earlier calls by some
branches that she should not be excluded altogether.

As was widely expected, Soerjadi was named as chairman of the
39-strong board to take the place of Megawati.

This marks the return of Soerjadi, currently deputy speaker of
the House of Representatives, to the top slot of the party, a
position which he held for seven years until he was ousted by his
own followers in 1993 to make way for Megawati.

Soerjadi headed the committee entrusted by the congress to
form the line-up of the central executive board and the central
advisory board.

Buttu Hutapea of North Sumatra was named secretary general.

Buttu's selection came as a big surprise because many people
had earlier expected that the post, regarded as the second most
prestigious after the chairmanship, would be given to someone
from eastern Indonesia where the party has strong followers.

The congress endorsed the line-up of the central executive
board with Soerjadi at the helm, 24 deputy chairpersons, one
secretary-general, seven deputy secretary-generals, one treasurer
and five deputy treasurers. It also endorsed the 18 names
proposed for the central advisory board.

Both boards will serve for a two-year period, which will cover
next year's general election.

Congress sources said the committee held a meeting at a secret
location outside the Pangkalan Masyhur Haj Dormitory, where the
congress was held.

The executive board includes all the 16 members from
Megawati's board who rebelled against her and organized the
congress, including Fatimah Ahmad and Ismunandar.

The congress had earlier reinstated the 16 figures whom
Megawati expelled on the eve of the gathering. The congress also
reinstated Latief Pudjosakti, who has been waging a fierce battle
against Megawati for the right to lead the party in East Java.

Latief was not named in the central board although he is now
widely expected to return to Surabaya with Soerjadi's endorsement
to chair the East Java board.

The new board includes two of the remaining 11 members of
Megawati's board: Syafei Ali Gumay and I Gusti Ngurah Sara.

Soerjadi admitted that the gesture was intended to court those
who have opposed the congress.

"We are trying to accommodate the interests of the various
factions as far as we can, provided that they do not become a
burden to the party. That is why the new executive board has been
expanded," he told reporters.

Congress sources said that the selection was almost smooth but
for the fact that senior party leaders were lobbying hard to have
their own people included in the board.

Clara Sitompul, another senior party leader who was expelled,
had been reinstated and offered a seat in the board.

These senior party figures were sending envelopes containing
the names of people they wished to see selected.

"Honestly, I was given these envelopes I thought contained
money. They turned out to be names," Soerjadi said.

Soerjadi said all the names proposed had been contacted before
hand. "If they wish to withdraw, that is their right. This job is
voluntary," he said.

"We tried to get in touch with Mrs. Mega (Megawati), but we
did not make connection," he said.

The full lineup:

Central Executive Board:

Chairman: Soerjadi

Deputy Chairpersons (24): Soemario; Ismunandar; Fatimah
Achmad; Panangian Siregar; Slamet Mulyadi; Subagyo; Kholid Murad;
Yahya Theo; Abdul Gani; Mulyono Sutarmo; Edi Junaedi, Untung
Sutomo; Dimmy Haryanto; Louis Nangoi; Markus Wauran; Anwar Datuk;
Djufri, I Gusti Ngurah Sara, Budi Hardjono; T.H. Sitorus; Taslim
Haki; Clara Sitompul; Harsoko Sudiro; Sayid Sucoro.

Secretary-General: Buttu Hutapea.

Deputy Secretary General (7): Ratih Ratna Purnami; Andi
Chaerul Manggabarani; Titi Yuliasih; Romulus Sihombing; R
Sudaryanto; Tuti Maryatno; Syafei Ali Gumay.

Treasurer: J.B. Wiyanjono.

Deputy Treasurers (5): Neneng Amalia, F.X. Urip Sujud; Koko
Harun; Yopie Paul Naya; Alex Widya Siregar.

Central Advisory Board (18): Prof. Hardi; R.G. Duriat; Nico
Daryanto; Imam Kadri Suprapto; Harjanto Sumodisastro; John
Tahamata; Andi Parenrengi Tanri; Djon Pakan Lalanlange; Achmad
Subagyo; M.B. Samosir; Umar Farouq; B.N. Marbun; Sugeng Saryadi;
Bambang Wijanarko; Sriyati Slamet; Syamsuri Gandakusumah; Kisman
Yojodolo; Ipik Asmasubrata. (17)