Megawati's PDI mulling new name to contest election
DENPASAR (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri's faction of the splintered Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) is considering a new name so it can contest next year's general election because the government only recognizes the rival PDI camp currently under Budi Hardjono.
The possibility of a new name dominated discussions among delegates on Thursday, the first day of the three-day congress.
Jacob Nuwa Wea, a delegate from Jakarta, said the name PDI Perjuangan (PDI in Struggle) would be a compromise so it could participate in the election.
"However, it does not mean that Megawati gives in to the wish of Syarwan Hamid," he said, referring to the minister of home affairs who recently suggested that the faction register as a new party under a new name.
Roy B.B. Janis, also from Jakarta, said the expression Perjuangan should be considered as a gift from the people.
"It explains how solid Megawati's PDI is in the eyes of the people," he said.
"It also dismisses the possibility of friction among PDI elements the way it was in the past," he said.
As a result of a 1973 merger between the Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI), the Murba Party, the Indonesian Vanguard Party (IPKI), the Christian Party (Parkindo) and the Indonesian Catholic Party, the establishment of the party's lineup has always been made through the agreement of the five party elements.
The name PDI Perjuangan was repeatedly mentioned by Megawati in her speech when she opened the congress on Thursday morning.
The name, however, was first introduced by the team of Megawati's lawyers during her legal challenges against the validity of a June 1996 government-sponsored congress. The congress ousted her from the party's helm and elected Soerjadi as the new chairman.
PDI deputy chairman, Suparlan, said the party's name would help members differentiate it from the rival PDI.
"If the congress approves the use of the new name, there would not be any problem with the establishment of the party's status anymore," he said.
Senior PDI member Frans Seda said Megawati's repeated use of the name PDI Perjuangan in her speech did not mean Megawati was forcing her wish on the congress.
"I think she (Megawati) has understood the aspirations of her mass of supporters. It's a common practice in politics," Frans, a former minister of finance, told reporters.
President
Participants also mulled whether they should include on the congress agenda their wish to nominate Megawati in the presidential election, planned for next year.
Bali chapter chairman Ida Bagus Putu Wesnawa said Megawati was eligible to run for the presidency.
"The congress should recommend that Megawati be nominated as the PDI presidential candidate," he said.
Roy B.B. Janis brought up the issue well before the congress began.
"Megawati has proven to be consistent in her legal struggle and commitment to reform," Roy said earlier this month.
Jeffrey A. Winters, a political observer from Northwestern University in the United States, said Megawati had a chance to become the country's next president.
"However, the decision will completely rest with the people of Indonesia," he told reporters on the sidelines of the PDI congress.
"It will also rest on how Megawati can establish a party system, which is effective, strong and solid enough to win the general election," he said.
Winters believed that the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Amien Rais, was also a strong contender to be the next president.
In a session hearing the outgoing chairperson's accountability speech, Megawati spoke about the government's maneuver to annihilate PDI, according to congress participant Sophan Sophiaan.
Other sessions discussed the internal regulations for the congress and listened to the delegations' general observations on Megawati's leadership. (43/imn)