Mega tells PDI-P politicians to behave
Mega tells PDI-P politicians to behave
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Fed up with internal rifts in her party, the chairwoman of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati
Soekarnoputri threatened to dismiss members who continued to show
defiance.
Opening the party's national meeting here on Tuesday, Megawati
said that she had often been angered by such defiance.
"I have a right to be angry because many things that I have
instructed, asked for or demanded have not been carried out," she
said.
"Although with reluctance, in the future I will have to
dismiss such people as all party members must put the party's
interests ahead of their personal interests."
The largest party in the country has been struggling to
overcome internal bickering, which has intensified since Megawati
assumed the presidency in July 2001.
Tarmidi Suhardjo, who used to chair the party's Jakarta
chapter, is among the prominent figures who were given their
marching orders after he insisted on contesting the governorship
earlier this year, challenging Megawati's decision to back
Sutiyoso. Later, Tarmidi joined the Pioneer Party, chaired by
Megawati's critical sister, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri.
Similar cases have occurred nationwide, even in the party's
strongholds such as Bali, Central Java, East Java and East
Kalimantan.
Disputes over gubernatorial elections are not the only
problems plaguing the party. Megawati's leadership style has
upset some senior party members and former loyal lieutenants,
such as Dimyati Hartono and Eros Djarot, who eventually broke
away and founded their own parties.
Other party members have also openly expressed their
discontent with Megawati's way of running the country and her
reluctance to push for reform inside of the government.
Sophan Sophiaan and Indira Damayanti Soegondo quit the House
of Representatives, saying they could no longer tolerate the
party's failure to maintain the trust of its constituents.
Only recently, the party's secretary-general, Soetjipto,
threatened to dismiss several House legislators should they not
change their defiant attitude.
Unconfirmed reports said staunch critics such as Meilono
Suwondo, Haryanto Taslam and Arifin Panigoro were among the party
representatives on the black list.
Arifin recently hosted a get-together with cross-party
politicians known to be critical of Megawati.
Some independent surveys have confirmed the party's tarnished
image and loss of public trust.
"Don't you think that I cry when I sign those dismissal
letters. I always remember how these people fought alongside me
during the difficult times our party experienced. But what else
can I do if they continue to defy my orders?" she said.
The party began its two-day meeting on Tuesday to finalize its
list of legislative candidates for the 2004 election.
Megawati underlined that all the candidates selected should
espouse the aspirations of the people, and that those who lacked
popular support should be omitted from the list.
"We have learned from past experience that without a proper
election process, the performance of our faction in the House
will be unsatisfactory and that this only tarnishes the party's
image," Megawati said.
She said she would have zero tolerance for money politics or
other forms of corruption during the process of selecting
candidates.
"Do not try to deceive me, because I will compare the data on
each candidate with his or her performance in the party,"
Megawati said.
The final list will be announced at the close of the meeting,
although several noted figures, including artists and analysts,
have already secured places on the list.