Legality versus reality

Legality versus reality

The debate concerning the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
continues to rage on unabated. The government continues to insist
on recognizing the party's Soerjadi faction on the grounds of
legality. At the same time, however, neither the government nor
the public can ignore the reality that it is Megawati, rather
than Soerjadi, who enjoys the masses' support.

In a paternalistic political culture, having the blessing and
recognition of those in power is much more important than
reality. A minister's decision can decide the fate of a political
party. The President's agreement to receive Soerjadi at the Bina
Graha presidential office recently settled this question of
legality (in Soerjadi's favor).

Megawati can of course decide to set up a new party to
accommodate her followers. However, she feels she has a right to
lead the party, based on precisely the same argument of legality.
After all, her faction has emerged the winner in a considerable
number of court proceedings.

As we understand it, Megawati's struggle is one for justice.
She intends to test the degree to which our legal system and our
power holders are ready to use conscience and reality as bases
for their actions.

This kind of legality principle confounds matters in a country
ruled by power. As long as it serves only those who are in power,
this principle amounts to coercion, since (the government's)
arguments are held to be more important than facts. In the case
of the PDI it is plainly evident how the arguments of those in
power are regarded as more important than existing facts.

The naked facts unequivocally show that the PDI congress in
Medan two years ago, at which the party was pushed into accepting
Soerjadi as chairman, was a project of the government in power at
that time. More blunt facts also show that the "Black Saturday"
(July 27, 1997) incident was initiated by the forcible takeover
of the party headquarters by trained individuals.

However, such knowledge is defeated by the argument that the
case is an internal affair of the PDI. Thus, the PDI case is left
to fester as a bloody incident in which guilty parties go
unpunished.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta