Megawati cannot manage her party

Megawati cannot manage her party

From Media Indonesia

After the general election of June 7, 1999, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the winner in the polls, has been rocked by widespread dissension. Reports on the party's internal conflicts started to circulate in early August. PDI Perjuangan supporters in various cities, including Jakarta, were angered and dissatisfied by the party's policies.

Their dissatisfaction concerns legislative candidates. The omission of names of legislative candidates from the provinces to the House of Representatives (DPR) and provincial legislative councils (DPRD) was due to their replacement by other candidates from the party's central board. It led to protests by members of the public; some supporters ran amok and ransacked the party's secretariat.

These events are strong indications of the lack of solidarity in the party that has proposed Megawati Soekarnoputri as its presidential candidate. It needs our attention because the party that won the general election has no solid organization. How can the presidential candidate of a divided party be championed for the presidency?

There is an obvious lack of management in the party. What of the management of the state and nation amid serious challenges? It is recognized that Megawati is supported by some of the people, but backing by only part of the community is not sufficient. This nation needs a manager who is up to the task of managing the population with all its complex problems.

Considering the recent chaos within the party, I merely want to emphasize that PDI Perjuangan shows that it is not ready to assume power. In other words, it is hard to make a common sense acceptance of Megawati leading Indonesia when she is incapable of managing her own party.

A.G. PUTRANTO

Jakarta