Megawati stays calm in face of East Java tension
Megawati stays calm in face of East Java tension
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chief Megawati Soekarnoputri brushed aside yesterday reports that the East Java police were clamping down on the party's two contending local chapters.
"It is hard for me to comment because I only know what has been reported in the press. I have not received any official word," she said on Saturday.
Speaking at a breaking of the fast gathering at her home in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, Megawati remarked that in absence of any formal notification she will go on as usual.
The East Java police department announced on Thursday that it was "freezing" the activities of the two contending PDI local chapters there for conflicts which have divided the party for more than a year.
The PDI chapter in East Java has been split into one camp headed by Sutjipto, which supports Megawati's national leadership, and another led by Latief Pudjosakti, a former chapter chairman and a staunch opponent of Megawati.
Megawati's central executive board says there is no conflict as Sutjipto was legitimately appointed as the chapter's chairman.
The row has been complicated by mixed signals from the East Java administration under Governor Basofi Sudirman, who has recognized neither the leadership of Sutjipto nor Latief.
But, the provincial administration has blocked Megawati's attempts to install Sutjipto by refusing to issue the necessary gathering permit.
Media Indonesia reported on Saturday that because neither camp has been recognized by the government the East Java police would not issue permits for them to carry out their activities.
Basofi, however, has been criticized for openly favoring Latief.
In Surabaya, East Java, Sutjipto on Saturday questioned reports that his party's activities had been frozen in East Java.
"So far all is running smoothly. I certainly haven't received any written notice," he said, pointing out that recent activity has primarily been held at the branch level.
Sutjipto said that news of the police decision to not issue permits could be based on speculation and hearsay.
"If they did and I received a notice, I would question its legal basis," he contended.
Megawati also called on the government to give her an opportunity to consolidate her branches throughout the country.
She asked that she be allowed to hold regional conferences to reestablish branch leadership boards whose terms of office have now expired. (mds/15)