Megawati files lawsuit against election institute

Megawati files lawsuit against election institute

JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted leader of the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), filed a lawsuit yesterday
against the government for refusing to accept her list of
legislature candidates for next year's general elections.

Her chief lawyer, R.O. Tambunan, accompanied by PDI secretary-
general Alex Litaay, filed her latest lawsuit at the Central
Jakarta District Court against the General Elections Institute
and its chairman, Moch. Yogie S.M., who is also minister of home
affairs.

The institute rejected her list last month, but accepted the
list drawn up by her foe, Soerjadi, who toppled her in a
government-backed rebel congress in Medan, North Sumatra in June.
Soerjadi's list did not include Megawati.

"The government had refused to accept our democratically and
legally drafted candidate list, which reflects the aspirations of
millions of people and PDI members across the country," Megawati
said in a written statement released yesterday.

Under Indonesian law, only candidates nominated by the three
official contestants -- the ruling Golkar political organization,
the Moslem-based United Development Party and the PDI -- are
allowed to take part in the general elections, due to take place
in 1997.

Megawati criticized the government for refusing her list and
accepting Soerjadi's, "which represents nobody but himself", she
said.

Yesterday's lawsuit was the fourth filed by Megawati within
the past three months against the government, military
institutions and officials.

One lawsuit, against Soerjadi and a number of officials --
including Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and Armed
Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung -- contests the congress
which ousted her as chairwoman. She demanded Rp 51 billion (US$22
million) in compensation.

Another lawsuit was filed by Megawati and her sister,
Sukmawati, against ABRI Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen.
Syarwan Hamid for alleged libel. It was later dropped, however,
after the court urged the parties to seek a peaceful out-of-court
settlement.

The third suit was filed last week at the Jakarta State
Administrative Court against the East Jakarta mayoralty for
closing down the party's office in the Condet subdistrict of East
Jakarta.

Prominent Moslem leader Abdurrahman Wahid had suggested that
Megawati withdraw her lawsuit against the government.

Abdurrahman, better-known as Gus Dur, said last week
Megawati's lawsuits have developed into a never-ending
confrontation that will not do her or the government any good.

Comments

Some high-ranking officials gave favorable responses to
Abdurrahman's suggestion. More comments, however, were still
pouring in.

Yesterday, political observers Riswandha Imawan and Amien Rais
of Gadjah Mada University and Muladi from Diponegoro University
agreed with the call.

"I think Megawati should heed Gus Dur's call to drop the suit
and just keep silent because by doing this, she is actually
leading her millions of supporters," Riswandha told The Jakarta
Post.

"A true leader needs no kudos nor fame. When a leader judges
his success by those measures, he'll never stop worrying and will
become irrational. So Megawati would be better off if she kept
silent," Riswandha said.

Amien, who is also chairman of the 28 million member
Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, called Megawati's lawsuit
against government officials and the huge compensation she is
demanding "unrealistic".

Muladi, who is also a member of the National Commission on
Human Rights, concurred with Riswandha. He said Megawati should
keep silent for the sake of public interest.

Both Muladi and Amien Rais suggested that Megawati engage in
introspection and examine the many problems that have been
besetting PDI which had led to the present sociopolitical
tension.

Amien suggested that Megawati resign from the PDI leadership.

Muladi dismissed the suggestion that Megawati might wish to
continue with her legal battle because she felt that she still
enjoyed people's support.

Muladi said he doubted that Megawati still enjoys the
grassroots' support. However, it remains Megawati's right to
continue with her court struggle, he said. (26/har)