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)