Eros's move to lead PDI-P rebuked

Eros's move to lead PDI-P rebuked

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Roy B.
Janis lashed out on Friday at Eros Jarot's move to run against
incumbent Megawati Soekarnoputri for the party's top post.

He even accused him of not being a registered party member.

Janis' stinging comments further grind the ax between
competing cliques within the party, with die-hard Megawati
supporters lining up against those who contend that she should
relinquish her executive role in the party now that she is vice
president.

Speaking in Denpasar, Bali, he questioned Eros' credentials,
challenging him to prove that he really did have support from
party branches to be nominated as a candidate at the party's
congress in Semarang, Central Java, next month.

"Don't only talk ... He should show that he has won support
from the party's provincial chapters and regional branches,"
Antara quoted him as saying.

Eros recently reiterated he was serious in his plan to contest
for the leadership.

He said the party should be reformed to solve the numerous
internal feuds among its functionaries.

PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Dimyati Hartono and deputy
secretary-general Haryanto Taslam are others who may join the
race.

Megawati herself has not raised any objection to there being
other challengers and all the signs indicate she would easily be
re-elected. However, many of her supporters seem to take
exception that there are those who even dare to run against her.

Janis even charged that Eros was not a party member on Friday,
a basic requirement for the party's top post.

"As chairman of PDI Perjuangan's chapter in Jakarta, I know he
is not registered as a party member. He was a PDI member when
Soerjadi was chairing the party but not a PDI Perjuangan member,"
he said.

On Thursday, Dimyati renewed calls for Megawati not to lead
the party again so she can concentrate on her many tasks as vice
president.

His comments again sparked an uproar.

Paul Widayawan, PDI Perjuangan faction secretary at the House
of Representatives, said numerous party legislators had urged the
party's central board to dismiss Dimyati from his position as the
party's faction chairman at the House.

Paul urged that Dimyati's role of legislator be stripped from
him.

"The party's central board is expected to make a decision on
Dimyati's fate in a few days," he claimed.(rms)