Megawati out to revamp PDI-P

SEMARANG (JP): Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri criticized her party's executives on Sunday for their old-fashioned approach and arrogance following the party's victory in the 1999 general election.

Speaking in a dialog with participants at the party's congress here, Megawati expressed concern about the party's tarnished image resulting from the officials' conceit and complacency after the party finished first in the polls.

"Following the party's victory in the last elections, we should have changed our style. We must have a different style but our spirit must be maintained," Megawati, who is also the vice president, said.

President Abdurrahman Wahid will officially open the congress on Monday. The congress will last until April 1.

Megawati said the congress was held ahead of schedule with the main objective of effecting change to meet the significant challenges for the next general election.

"PDI Perjuangan is a political party oriented to the poor, the oppressed and the vulnerable. All party cadres and figures must gain the necessary discipline. You must show your personal and political maturity," she said.

Responding to the enthusiastic welcome of party supporters, Megawati instructed them to effect improvements in their individual fields.

She also regretted that many party figures were not self- reliant and were satisfied with their positions in legislative bodies and the government. She said they lost their common sense and solidarity with the people due to conceit at attaining high office.

"Despite the party's victory in the last elections and their current positions, they should remain realistic and observe the poor condition of the majority of people."

Megawati was also dismayed at the appearance of rival delegations to the congress representing several branches, and the party infighting of the past three months.

"I have tried to understand what is happening but I couldn't," she said, referring to the arrival of rival delegations from 10 branches.

She noted the internal disputes which beset the party recently needed to be resolved. There has been infighting in several branches and alleged money politics involving party legislators in a recent mayoral election in Medan, North Sumatra.

The congress' organizing committee was checking into the double delegations from North and South Sulawesi and Irian Jaya on Sunday. Some delegations said they were Megawati's supporters, while others said they supported the candidacy of party deputy chairman Dimyati Hartono.

Several participants shouted "Dismiss the party's betrayers", an apparent attack on Dimyati, who sat in the front row with other executive board members at the dialog.

Some have branded Dimyati and publisher Eros Djarot traitors to the party for announcing they would run for the party's leadership. Eros, who was not at the dialog, has said Megawati should focus on her duties as vice president and her run for the presidency in 2004.

Many hope the congress will elect professional, educated figures to the party's executive board.

Hundreds of thousands of the party's supporters rode on motorcycles, buses, trucks and pedicabs in a procession around the city on Sunday. They came from their hometowns in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Irian Jaya.

Hundreds of party supporters arrived in pedicabs after a five- day journey from Surabaya.

Chairman of the congress' organizing committee Mangara Siahaan said more than 1,400 participants representing 314 branches and 27 provincial chapters had arrived.

He said about 1,200 participants representing party branches would have voting rights in the chairmanship elections. The ruling on the elections will be set by the congress.

None of the party's 17 members of central executive board, including Megawati, do not vote. (rms/har)