Cracks in PDI-P
Serious cracks are now showing in almost all the leading political parties but the most glaring ones come from the winner of the recent general election (which collected 35 per cent of all votes), the nationalist Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) thereby eventually allowing its chairwoman, Megawati Soekarnoputri, to grab the position of president of the country.
There are forces within PDI Perjuangan that would like to see Megawati resign as party chief and concentrate fully on her task as the country's chief executive. It is feared that she will put her party's interests above those of the people.
Against such a background, two leading members of PDI Perjuangan in the House of Representatives, notably faction leader Sophan Sophian, and Dimyati Hartono, have tendered their resignations as members of PDI Perjuangan. Dimyati says he plans to set up a new political party to take part in the 2004 general elections, surprisingly enough embracing the younger sister of Megawati, Rachmawati, with whom she used to be at loggerheads on political affairs.
Sophan Sophian has said he can no longer withstand the political atmosphere within the party ranks, which goes against his conscience, and prefers to step down.
It is an open secret that Megawati is now being surrounded by people close to members of the Cabinet or their wives, who are showering her and members of her family with all kinds of favors that remind one of the time of former absolute ruler Soeharto. This kind of service to the first family is uncalled for under a democratic setup: It smacks of nepotism, which could ruin the party in the long run and on the eve of the 2004 direct general elections.
PDI Perjuangan will be hard-pressed to retain its lead in the coming general election due to take place in two years' time. For the time being the coalition government is strong enough to withstand any legislative storm until the year 2004. However, PDI Perjuangan is unlikely to emerge from the elections in 2004 as strong as before with so many splits within its ranks.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta