Latief Pudjosakti dies in Mecca

JAKARTA (JP): Latief Pudjosakti, at the center of the protracted leadership conflict within the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), died in Mecca Wednesday while performing haj pilgrimage. He was 46.

He is survived by his wife Kristin Latief, and five children.

Secretary of the East Java PDI chapter Trimono, who spoke on behalf of the deceased's relatives, said in Surabaya Latief's body was buried in Mecca yesterday.

On pilgrimage with VIP facilities, Latief died of a throat inflammation. Six months ago, he was hospitalized for a heart problem, according to Antara.

Latief was deputy chief of the East Java provincial legislative council.

He sprang to prominence in national politics in 1993 when he became the de facto acting party chief after the government rejected a PDI congress decision to reelect Soerjadi.

In the 1993 ordinary congress, he was out-maneuvered by Megawati Soekarnoputri, who clinched the PDI top slot by a popular vote.

Despite the defeat, he retained popularity and government backing. He was reelected East Java PDI chief by local congress in 1994. But his victory was disputed and finally annulled by Megawati.

In a highly controversial move, Megawati named her staunch supporter Sutjipto. Her decision was strongly rejected by both Latief and East Java governor Basofi Sudirman.

Both Latief and Sutjipto stuck to their claim they were the legitimate local PDI chief.

In Jakarta, Megawati -- who lost her chair in a government- backed rebel congress last year -- sent condolence to Latief's relatives.

"Although we had fundamental differences in viewing the East Java party conflict, I acknowledge that Latief had a great contribution in developing PDI," she told reporters.

"The party has lost an illustrious leader," she said. (pan/aan)