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)