Govt stand in PDI row

Govt stand in PDI row

As I follow closely all the sad developments of the PDI
(Indonesian Democratic Party) row, I am happy that our government
has maintained a consistent stand.

Putting aside the question of whether the government is right
or wrong, we know at least what is, according to the government,
legal and what is illegal. The presence of a government minister
and the Armed Forces Chief at the PDI congress in Medan, North
Sumatra recently, where they both delivered speeches, clearly
indicates tacit government approval of the congress. The congress
was considered legal because it was in compliance with the
party's constitution. As a consequence all decisions made by this
congress are legal, including the election of a new chief.

The situation at present is that we have a new chief i.e.
Soeryadi, and an ex-chief Megawati. This is the legal situation.
As is usually the case the law and constitution of a party can be
interpreted in different ways. Megawati still clings to the
position as chief of PDI and Soeryadi claims that from now on he
is the legal PDI chief and has been recognized as such by the
government.

According to the Armed Forces Chief, who of course speaks on
behalf of the government, the planned congress by Megawati's
group has no legal basis and thus will not get government
permission. This is in line with government policy.

However, I was surprised when I read in the newspapers of June
26, 1996 about the statement of the Armed Forces Chief, that he
would not help Soerjadi (the new legal PDI chief) oust the
illegal chief Megawati from the premises of the PDI headquarters.
Gen. Feisal Tanjung said that this is an internal affair of the
PDI.

Why this sudden change of attitude? This is not an internal
matter anymore, The PDI problem is a national problem, and the
government has made it clear where it stands.

If I am not mistaken, these premises are given to be used as
headquarters by the legal leadership of a political party. If I,
as a private citizen, report to the proper authorities that my
neighbor, without any legal right, has occupied my house, the
government has the responsibility to act on this and not say that
this is an internal matter between neighbors.

I admire the government for its courage in taking a consistent
stand in the PDI conflict, and I hope this consistency will not
change.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta