Megawati to go on with Bali congress
Megawati to go on with Bali congress
JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri is sticking to her plan
to hold a congress in Bali of her camp of the splintered
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), despite lacking a permit and
government concerns it could disrupt the island's lucrative
tourist industry.
But in acknowledgement of the government's fear of negative
fallout from a mass mobilization, Megawati appealed to her
followers on Saturday to leave it up their officials to attend
the event scheduled early next month.
"Trust your party officials," she said. Megawati advised that
party members ineligible to attend the congress should continue
their usual activities.
Megawati made the same request of loyalists who plan to travel
in motorbike convoys to Bali.
Megawati loyalist Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno expressed optimism
the congress would proceed without problems, including
intervention from the security apparatus.
"The (planned) congress will eventually be permitted by the
police and will commence smoothly," he told reporters at the new
secretariat of Megawati's faction in Lenteng Agung subdistrict,
South Jakarta.
Thousands packed the chapter office in West Jakarta on Sunday
to mark the opening of its own congress. Megawati was represented
by her advisor, Kwik Kian Gie, who also asserted that
preparations for the congress would continue.
Chapter chairman Roy B.B. Janis also said the chapter would
intensify its campaign to reelect Megawati as party chairwoman at
the congress.
Party members also spoke of the possibility of nominating
Megawati as president next year. On Saturday, thousands of youths
from Surakarta, Central Java, said in a media statement that they
would support Megawati's nomination for the presidency.
The PDI, an amalgamation of five nationalist and Christian
parties, has been riddled by internal leadership disputes since
its founding in 1973.
In recent years, it was split into separate factions led by
Megawati, who was ousted in a 1996 congress in Medan, North
Sumatra, and another headed by Soerjadi. He was recently replaced
by Budi Hardjono.
Despite widespread criticism, the government has persistently
recognized Budi's faction as the only legitimate PDI. It recently
suggested that Megawati should register her camp under a
different name for the rift to be ended.
The treasurer of Megawati's camp, Laksamana Sukardi, ruled it
out as an option.
"The security apparatus must understand that the only forum to
change the party's name is in the congress," Laksamana said.
Several branches of PDI's Jakarta chapter indicated that the
proposal to change the party's name would be included in the
upcoming congress' agenda.
"PDI was the product of the previous New Order government. And
it should not be retained in this reform era," said Audi F.
Tambunan, the chairman of the South Jakarta branch loyal to
Megawati.
The chairman of the pro-Megawati Bali chapter, Ida Bagus Putu
Wesnawa, has also said preparations for the congress are ongoing.
"We keep on working for the congress' preparation. If people
talk about obtaining the permit, it's the responsibility of the
PDI executive board," Wesnawa was quoted as saying by Antara on
Saturday.
"A day before the opening ceremony on Oct. 8, the
accommodation for the 1,200 participants from PDI 27 chapters
will have been ready."
The congress -- with its main agenda to discuss the party's
political and organizational five-yearly guidelines and to elect
the party's 1998/2003 leadership board -- will be held at the
Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur.
Several ambassadors to Indonesia and leaders of the newly
established political parties are expected to attend the three-
day congress.
Despite limited access to the congress venue, thousands of
Megawati supporters from Central Java have insisted they will
leave for Bali to attend the congress.
"Dozens of officials from the PDI Central Java chapter and
thousands of supporters will come to Bali to attend the
congress," Oetojo, deputy chairman of pro-Megawati Central Java
chapter of PDI, said on Saturday. (imn/har/swe)