Megawati's PDI mulling new name to contest election

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)