Megawati's decision to open new HQ dubbed unlawful
JAKARTA (JP): The military has said that the deposed chief of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), Megawati Soekarnoputri, and her supporters do not have the right to carry out political activities.
Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday that Megawati's decision to open a headquarters for her PDI faction was unacceptable.
The decision was "unlawful", he said. "The government only recognizes the PDI central executive board under Soerjadi. The government will not recognize the activities of Megawati and her followers...they do not have any legitimacy."
Despite the military's stance, a group of Megawati loyalists went ahead with the planned opening of a new headquarters to replace the one seized on July 27 by Soerjadi supporters.
Kwik Kian Gie and Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, two deputy chairmen on Megawati's board, yesterday announced the opening of the new office accompanied by a group of lawyers retained by Megawati's board to contest the validity of Soerjadi's board in court. Megawati was nowhere to be seen.
The disputed party headquarters is on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta; it is currently under police supervision. Megawati's new office is located in Condet, East Jakarta, and belongs to an anonymous supporter.
Kwik said in a press conference that the new office is needed to enable faction leaders to consolidate and prepare for next year's general election.
Kwik denied the suggestion that, by opening the office, his camp was challenging the government.
"No, we're not challenging the government," he said, adding that as far as the group is concerned there was only one PDI central executive board, namely the one under Megawati.
Instead, "we're challenging the government's recognition of Soerjadi's board," he said.
Pending a court decision on the legality of Soerjadi's board, Megawati's board was still the lawful one, he said.
In addition, Kwik pointed out, Megawati's board had notified the National Police Chief, the Commander of the Armed Forces, the Minister of Home Affairs as well as local and neighborhood chiefs of the opening of the new office.
"As of today, we haven't received any reaction over the opening of the new headquarters," he said.
Soerjadi toppled Megawati in a congress in Medan, North Sumatra, in June. The government has formally recognized Soerjadi as new party chairman and considers Megawati's board nullified.
Megawati is contesting the legality of Soerjadi's board through a lawsuit filed last month at the Central Jakarta District Court.
Soetardjo yesterday expanded on Megawati's stated intention to go on with the preparations for the general election. For instance, her board will soon submit a list of candidates for the House of Representatives.
In a separate development, judges at the East Jakarta District Court yesterday urged Megawati and Syarwan Hamid to settle their differences out of court.
Presiding judge M. Thoyib Madris opened the hearing only to recommend that the disputing parties should seek a peaceful settlement and report back to the Court on Sept. 23.
The lawyers from both sides agreed to the judge's proposal.
Megawati and Sukmawati last month jointly filed a Rp 50 billion (US$21.2 million) lawsuit against Syarwan for allegedly defaming the two daughters of the late president Sukarno.
Syarwan had reportedly accused Megawati of plotting a coup against the government with the help of Sukmawati, who is chairwoman of the Marhaen People Movement. (imn/swe)