Government policy on PDI's crisis in E. Java deplored
Government policy on PDI's crisis in E. Java deplored
JAKARTA (JP): Former chairman of the Indonesian Democratic
Party (PDI) Soerjadi has criticized the Minister of Home Affairs
for his inaction in the crisis that has afflicted the East Java
chapter of his party and involves the local governor.
Soerjadi, who is also deputy speaker of the House of
Representatives, said over the weekend that Home Affairs Minister
Moch. Yogie S.M. should not make the issue the local government's
business because such a conclusion sounds highly illogical.
The PDI central board has deplored what it calls intervention
by the East Java governor into the party's internal problem.
Governor Basofi Sudirman recently sent invitations to all PDI
regency leaders to attend a meeting with him at his office
tomorrow.
A statement by the PDI central board said last week that the
governor had gone too far with this activity which is against
the country's political ethics and violates the law.
Earlier reports said the local administration also refused to
issue a permit for the installation of the newly-elected leader
of the PDI East Java chapter, Sutjipto, and supported his rival
who lost the election.
Latief Pudjosakti, the rival, refused to recognize Sutjipto's
leadership and set up his own provincial cabinet, a maneuver
rejected by the PDI central board.
Soerjadi on Saturday urged Megawati Soekarnoputri, the party's
chairwoman, to take stern measures against Latief.
He said, as quoted by Jawa Pos yesterday, that any leniency
she showed in facing the crisis will not only tarnish PDI's image
but would also make the crisis get out of hand.
Mh. Isnaeni, another veteran PDI leader, has also criticized
the East Java governor for the initiative. Isnaeni, a PDI vice
chairman in the 1970s, said that the government should respect
the law by letting the PDI leadership solve the party's internal
rift without outside intervention.
Meanwhile the East Java administration has said that the
meeting between the governor and PDI branch leaders will go on as
scheduled.
Suryadi Setiawan, the head of the provincial agency of socio-
political affairs who signed the invitation cards on behalf of
Gov. Basofi, said in Surabaya Saturday that the local authorities
did not intend to meddle in PDI's internal problems.
"Pak Gubernur (Mr. Governor) is sincere," Setiawan said. He
added that if it deems it necessary he will send a report about
the meeting to the PDI central board in Jakarta.
"It can use it to solve the party's crisis," he said.
"By inviting PDI officials from both Sutjipto's and Latief's
camps the governor wants to demonstrate his neutrality in the
dispute," Setiawan said.
He added that the government initiative was made at the behest
of PDI activists, he added.
He added that the government would not resort to coercion if
PDI officials refuse to attend. (tis)