Mediator

If the two disputing Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) camps, Megawati Soekarnoputri's and Soerjadi's, finally come to a dead-end in their long-dragging conflict, I'm in a position to act as their mediator.

In this respect, I would like all PDI members to study PDI's 1988 constitution and internal rules prevailing before the national conference (Munas) and the party's constitution and internal rules stipulated by the Munas. To guide us in finding a solution to this conflict, we must carefully study the status of a Munas as stipulated in the 1988 constitution and internal rules, according to which a Munas may be held in a situation of emergency.

As is known, the 1993 PDI congress in Medan failed, and the extraordinary congress held later in Surabaya also failed. Finally, it was decided that pursuant to the 1988 constitution and internal rules, a Munas was held (an emergency situation). This means that the outcome of the Munas, with respect to the election of the central executive board and the stipulation of the party's statute and internal rules, must be confirmed in a PDI congress. One to be held in place of the failed 1993 Medan congress, and not the next one, an ordinary one held every five years. This congress should have been held one year after the Munas. This is what the party's constitution mandates.

For some reason, Megawati was yet to hold the congress when it was already close to the general election, a situation resulting in conflict between Fatimah Ahmad and friends and Megawati.

After the conflict became public, a meeting of PDI's central executive board was held, and it was agreed that a joint congress would be held. The majority of the participants (14) voted for Fatimah Ahmad to act as chairwoman of the congress committee. However, Megawati voiced her disagreement to this majority voting while, at the same time, her supporters outside the meeting venue, overwhelmed with emotion, condemned Fatimah Ahmad.

As Fatimah Ahmad and friends got hold of the majority votes, they held another meeting the next day at Wisata Hotel, Jakarta. It is not known whether Megawati was invited to attend. If they failed to invite Megawati to attend, the problem would be ethical in nature and not a violation of the party's constitution.

In this case, the emotionally fanatical supporters of Megawati have shown their desire for a change in ways harmful to PDI itself, while on the other hand, Megawati's leadership group has never made any clarification about this conflict.

It is my hope that what has been set out above may initiate a dialog between Soerjadi and Megawati.

RA BERAR FATIA

Former Member of R&D Dept.

of PDI Central Executive Board

Bekasi, West Java