Megawati's decision to open new HQ dubbed unlawful

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)