'Govt can impose solution to PDI row'

'Govt can impose solution to PDI row'

JAKARTA (JP): East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman has the political right to force an end to the protracted chairmanship conflict at the provincial chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), observers say.

With the January 31st deadline approaching to establish the provincial committee for general elections, the administration might have to eventually favor one rival over the other, said Amir Santoso of the University of Indonesia.

"Governor Basofi has the right to pick one solution and apply it, even against the wishes of those embroiled in the conflict," the lecturer at the School of Social and Political Sciences told The Jakarta Post by telephone yesterday.

"The governor must first initiate another meeting to help the rivals reconcile," Amir said. "If there's one camp who balks and refuses to attend, then the governor is no longer to be blamed if he takes certain policies to resolve the conflict."

According to a 1974 law on provincial administration, the governor "has a political right to take action to resolve" such conflicts.

As a patron of political development in the region, Basofi can take any measure he deems best for his region, Amir said.

Ramlan Surbakty of the Surabaya-based Airlangga University expressed similar sentiments.

"I believe the governor will eventually force a solution to the rival leadership conflict, and (openly) recognize Latief," he said. "There have been signs that the administration and the governor have been favoring Latief over Soetjipto anyway."

The claimants to the chairmanship are Soetjipto, who is backed by the central executive board led by Megawati Soekarnoputri, and Latief Pudjosakti, who claims to have the support of 31 of the 37 smaller branches.

Momentum

"The administration is probably only seeking the momentum to justify its actions (to favor Latief over his rival)," he said. "It's probably watching out for Sujipto to make one mistake to justify (the action)."

Meanwhile, Afan Gaffar of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta said he doubted that a solution would be found.

Late last month, Basofi invited both camps to discuss possible reconciliation. Latief came to the meeting with his supporters, but Soetjipto failed to show up. Only later did Soetjipto say that he didn't turn up because he feared the meeting would only rehash the question of which camp is "constitutional".

Amir pointed out that the East Java administration is under pressure to establish the provincial election committee by the end of this month.

"It's precisely because there's a time pressure that the governor has the right to find a solution," Amir said. "He should tell the rival camps about the pressure of the deadline he's facing."

"He wouldn't be acting arbitrarily if he did force a solution, he wouldn't be violating any laws," Amir said. "Soetjipto's camp could not accuse him of that."

"There are two versions of the story, so let's listen to both sides," Amir said. "For Latief, it's Megawati who has been acting arbitrarily, denying his claim to the chairmanship just because she doesn't like him."

Afan said that the PDI East Java chapter would not likely meet the deadline because of the "stubbornness" of both camps. "They both should compromise, or there should be a third person," Afan said.

"Megawati should be realistic and stop insisting that Soetjipto be recognized by the provincial administration," he said. "Her stance could drive Latief's supporters to abandon the party altogether."

Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. has hinted that the provincial committee for general elections might have to be established without the presence of representatives from the PDI's East Java chapter.

Afan, however, does not believe that the government will let that happen.

"The National Committee for General Elections or the home affairs ministry would certainly look for people to represent the PDI East Java chapter," Afan said. "There are plenty of people willing to take that position."

He added: "While this protracted conflict may have served as public exposure for PDI, in the long run it could harm PDI's chance in the general elections."

However, Megawati said that by insisting she revoke her support of Soetjipto, the government is forcing her to commit an unconstitutional act.

Megawati reminded that Soetjipto was appointed by a decree from the party's board and that a revocation of the decree would amount to a legal violation. (swe/31)