East Java Governor Basofi tired of PDI bickering

East Java Governor Basofi tired of PDI bickering

JAKARTA (JP): East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman admitted he had the right to force an end to the prolonged conflicts at the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), but would not do so for fear of acting autocratically.

"I'm tired of the conflicts in PDI," he told reporters here yesterday. He admitted that the problem of rival leadership at the East Java chapter of PDI was becoming a headache for him.

"I'm tired of appealing to PDI to solve its conflicts itself," he said, after attending a ceremony in which Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. installed three vice governors and the rector of the Institute for State Administration.

Basofi invited Soetjipto and Latief Pudjosakti, both PDI activists who claimed to be the rightful East Java chapter chairman, to a reconciliation meeting in December. The attempt was foiled because Soetjipto failed to show up.

"I don't know whether Soetjipto has the good will to solve the conflict. Maybe his camp just doesn't have the courage to face the other group," he said.

Meanwhile, Yogie denied that the central executive board of PDI had asked to meet him.

The leadership conflict at East Java chapter of PDI posed a problem in the preparations for the 1997 general elections. The government has set January 31st as the deadline for the establishment of the provincial committee for elections.

All elements of the political contestants--the ruling Golkar, PDI and the United Development Party (PPP)--should be represented in the committee.

There have been suggestions that the government will either choose a third person, or let the committee be established without PDI representatives.

Basofi, however, rejected both options. "I think we'll have to wait and see what happens," he said.

Latief, who happens to be a member of the East Java provincial legislative council in charge of electing vice governors, made a appearance at the ministry yesterday.

Through the press, he called on the PDI executive board not to use strong-arm tactics in its' effort to solve the conflict.

"The party leaders should not resort to a "power" approach," he said.

Latief was widely reported to have been enjoying the support of the local administration. Some analysts said he also enjoyed the support of the local community. (31)