Megawati scolds wayward PDI-P legislators

Megawati scolds wayward PDI-P legislators

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President and chairperson of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati
Soekarnoputri scolded unscrupulous party legislators on Saturday
for having tarnished the image of the party and of the
parliament.

Speaking before more than 4,000 party legislators at the
Senayan Sports Stadium, Megawati cited that in the past, numerous
party cadres had breached party rules and were involved in
internal bickering.

"But, since our victory in the 1999 general election, the
'disease' has infected party members in the legislative body and
the provincial and regency legislative councils," she said.

Megawati said she had instructed the party's executive board
to take strict action against such unscrupulous cadres,
especially those in legislative bodies, calling such violations
as no longer tolerable.

She did not elaborate the violations the party cadres had
committed, but said that they had not only breached the party's
internal rules, but also failed to fight for the party's interest
in the legislature.

"Many are of the opinion that they are representing the public
and not the party, while they have committed unpraiseworthy
deeds. Upon listening to such reports, I have questioned some of
them and wanted to slap their faces.

"They thought that they had gained their seats from the sky
(not through the party)," she said in an emotional tone.

Megawati applauded programs held in connection with the
party's 28th anniversary, saying that the programs are expected
to improve the cadres' loyalty to the party.

"We must learn from these cases, so that the party will have
qualified legislators in 2004 (next general election)," she said.

She also called on party cadres to maintain public confidence
in the party and to fight for the values of party supporters' and
to work hard for victory in the next elections.

"Party cadres should bear in mind that their main mission is
to fight for people's aspirations and are obliged to maintain
public confidence in the party in facing the next elections," she
said.

Pramono Anung Wibowo, the party's deputy secretary-general,
said Megawati was slated to announce the list of immoral cadres
as well as the sanctions against them on Sunday.

"The 14 cadres who have been found guilty of committing major
violations will be dismissed from the party, 28 others will be
discharged from their current position in the party and dozens of
others who have committed minor violations will be given
warnings," Pramono said.

He conceded that many party legislators would be discharged
for "selling" their votes in past elections of governors and
regents.

He cited the elections of regents and mayors in Medan, North
Sumatra; North Lampung in Lampung; and Semarang, Klaten and
Sragen, all in Central Java. Several party legislators at the
Irian Java provincial legislative council were also allegedly
involved in such practices during the recent gubernatorial
election of the province.

Sabam Sirait, a senior party figure, conceded the presence of
some party's unqualified legislators at provincial and regency
legislative councils due to the hasty recruitment of legislative
candidates in previous elections.

"We must accept the reality that some of the PDI Perjuangan
legislators are not qualified, although they have a fighting
spirit. Now, they must be given training to be more skillful in
performing their duties as legislators, while the party must
review its recruitment system in a bid to have qualified
legislators in 2004," he said.

Outspoken PDI Perjuangan legislator, Aberson Marle Sihaloho,
said many party legislators have become disoriented because of
the party's unclear set of policies and principles.

"The party must spell out the Constitution in a common
platform, which should be taken by party legislators as guidance
in fighting for people's aspirations," he said. (rms)