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.