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