Congress likely to give nod to Megawati

By Imanuddin & M.M.I. Ahyani

DENPASAR (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri's faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) is expected to wind up its congress on Saturday by reelecting her to its helm and naming her as its candidate for next year's presidential election.

As of Friday night, 18 of the 27 provincial chapters had expressed support for Megawati retaining her position as chairwoman for the 1998 to 2003 period. Members of the congress' commission on politics will ultimately decide on whether to formally name her as the faction's presidential candidate.

Megawati has also been vested with the authority to establish the full lineup of the camp's central executive board. A majority of participants agreed she would be free to name her own aides.

The congress' closing ceremony will include the faction's political statement.

Deputy chairman I Gusti Ngurah Sara said on Friday the majority of congress delegates supported Megawati's reelection because she was considered able to organize and develop the party.

West Nusa Tenggara chapter chairman Mudahir said: "We never had any doubt about her leadership skill. She is a strong and consistent person."

Sara added: "The election of secretary-general and other executive board members will be (decided) by the chairwoman-elect because she knows who can work with her."

Several names have been circulating among congress participants as prospective secretary-generals. They include current secretary-general Alexander Litaay and former Udayana Regional Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Theo Syafei, a PDI member for less than a month.

Others favored include staunch Megawati's loyalists -- Haryanto Taslam, Soetardjo Soeryogoeritno, Kwik Kian Gie and Laksamana Sukardi -- who were at her side during the hard times under former president Soeharto's regime.

Litaay appears to have the strongest prospects.

Laksamana has disclaimed any interest in the position, stating he would reject it if were offered to him.

Kwik conceded that many members coveted the prestigious post and he would be ready to serve if he elected. He added that he did not forsee discord if recent members such as Theo Syafei were picked instead of the old guard.

"People like Pak Kwik and I are not appropriate for such a secretarial post. It will waste my time," said Laksamana, who now operates a business consultancy firm. "I think we should retain the Megawati-Litaay duet."

"It'll be risky to put a new party member into such a strategic post as it'll ruin the party's image and integrity."

Speech

Megawati's speech at the congress opening on Thursday has been roundly lauded.

"It was the best political speech I have heard in the past five years," said Theo. "It's not a PDI political speech, but the best people's political speech over the past five years".

Former Golkar leader Sarwono Kusumaatmaja said Megawati's speech -- although replete with hope, aspirations and vision -- was unachievable unless her faction came to power.

"It's a good speech, and oriented toward the future, but it could only be realized if (her) PDI won the election," he said.

In her speech before an estimated 100,000 supporters at the Kapten Japa Padanggalak Square, Megawati proposed "five political packages" to be deliberated by the congress.

They constitute a declaration of the faction's stance on salient issues: The faction will remain loyal to the 1945 Constitution and the state ideology Pancasila; uphold Indonesia's sovereignty and supremacy of law; uphold human rights; join with civilians and the Armed Forces in remaining committed to national unity, and support a free and active political system based on equality and humanity.

The faction's commission on politics will meet Saturday morning to prepare the political statement and discuss relevant issues, with particular focus on the call for the abolition of the Armed Forces (ABRI) dual role in security and politics.

The majority of chapters have expressed their support for the call. Kwik agreed with the sentiment, but cautioned that removal of the role should be done gradually.

Laksamana said all discussion on the Armed Forces' dual function should be understood as returning sovereignty to the people themselves.

"If people are sovereign, then soldiers' role in politics can be removed."

Outside of the congress venue at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel, supporters bedecked in red-and-black party symbols continued with their merriment, holding motorbike convoys and rallies to show their support for Megawati.

Dozens of activists from the Committee for the Indonesian Youths and Students (KPMI) held a demonstration in support of Megawati's reelection and presidential nomination.

A similar endorsement came from the Forum of Pro-Megawati Maluku Students.