Fair competition urged in PDI Perjuangan congress

Fair competition urged in PDI Perjuangan congress

JAKARTA (JP): Officials of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) have urged party supporters to allow
the election of its next chairman to be contested fairly and with
an emphasis on regeneration.

Deputy chairman Dimyati Hartono said all candidates should be
given an equal opportunity to run against party leader Megawati
Soekarnoputri for the chairmanship.

"Democracy should be upheld. The race for the party's top
position should be open to all," he told The Jakarta Post on
Friday.

PDI Perjuangan is scheduled to hold a congress in Semarang,
Central Java, from March 26 to March 31. The election of the
chairman is part of the agenda.

Dimyati conceded that a rift was emerging within the top ranks
of the party following Megawati's announcement that she was ready
to be reelected.

Several executives, including Dimyati, have suggested that
Megawati withdraw from the running and instead focus on her
duties as vice president. They have also stressed the need for
regeneration and warned against the fostering of a cult of
personality in the party.

Opposition to Megawati's reelection has sparked strong
disfavor from other elements within the party.

"Frankly speaking, there is no problem between Megawati and
me. She knows me well," Dimyati said.

"The problem is, however, that Megawati's militant supporters
do not want other party figures to run against her in the race.

"These militant followers are striving to make me withdraw
from my current position as chairman of the PDI Perjuangan
faction in the House of Representatives.

Dimyati said he was ready to relinquish his position as long
as it occurred in accordance with procedures.

"I can do many things for the nation in many other ways
outside the party."

Dimyati said that his remarks about Megawati not running for
reelection were intended for the good of the party to ensure it
would not be dependent upon a single figure in securing votes in
the 2004 general election.

He warned it would be imperative to adopt a new strategy
because the political climate in 2004 would be completely
different to last year's election.

"In the past, PDI Perjuangan and Megawati have been held up as
symbols of an antirepressive government, justice and law
enforcement. In 2004, we will enter a situation where democracy
will be on track and the economy recovering," he said.

Another deputy chairman, Mochtar Buchori, also said the party
needed to consider putting younger party members at center stage.

"Megawati has a better opportunity to lead the party again
because the party is facing a leadership crisis and her
leadership is still believed to be needed to maintain national
unity," he said.

"However, if Megawati is reelected, the current central board
should be replaced by new and fresh figures so that the present
members who are aging can play a role as a think tank."

The deputy chairman of the party's development and research
center, Jacob Tobing, denied there was a rift but agreed that the
election of a chairman should be held in an open and democratic
manner.

He said that apart from Megawati, other party figures such as
Dimyati, Eros Jarot and Haryanto Taslam should be given equal
opportunities if they wanted to run.

PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Alex Litaay said that
Megawati was the most appropriate candidate as 99 percent of the
party's provincial chapters and branches in regencies expressed
support for her renomination.

"I have tried to remain calm on this matter but after learning
about numerous maneuvers by certain figures wanting to replace
her, I must speak out now," he said after attending the party
faction's plenary session at the House of Representatives on
Friday.

Alex, who is closely linked to Megawati, said her leadership
was a dominant factor in the party's success.

"Her leadership has been tested and PDI Perjuangan can expect
to win the next election under her leadership," he said. (rms)