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)