Megawati out to revamp PDI-P
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)