No-confidence motion urged against PDI-P's Arifin

JAKARTA (JP): A member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction at the House of Representatives has confirmed that around 50 faction members have signed a petition demanding a no-confidence motion against their chairman Arifin Panigoro.

"I don't know exactly the reasons but the no-confidence motion has gained support from some 50 faction members," Jacob Tobing told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

He said the list of signatures supporting the motion was still circulating among faction members and was expected to be handed over to the party's executive board to decide whether it was acceptable or not.

Reliable PDI Perjuangan faction sources said the motion was initiated by senior figures in the party who were unhappy with the role of newcomers.

"Numerous old party activists don't want newcomers, including Arifin and Theo Syafei, to appear in the party's structure and the faction's leadership. They also oppose radical faction members who have outspokenly criticized President Abdurrahman Wahid's leadership," said a source.

Arifin, chairman of the faction at the House and Theo, deputy chairman of the House's Commission I for defense, foreign and affairs, are also deputy chairmen of the party.

Theo, former chief of the Udayana Military Command overseeing Bali, East and West Nusa Tenggara, joined PDI Perjuangan in 1998 only months after retiring from the Army.

Arifin, a former member of the People's Consultative Assembly from the Golkar Party (1997-1999), joined PDI Perjuangan early in 1999.

On Wednesday, PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri assembled all party legislators and asked them to maintain unity amid speculation of a growing internal rift in the party.

Another source said numerous party legislators were disappointed with Arifin because of his personal qualities and close links with Ginandjar Kartasasmita, a Golkar party figure who played an important role in the former New Order regime.

"He (Arifin) is a single fighter and temperamental in leading the faction. He and Ginandjar are also co-owners of the Medco Group and their close links are feared to have influenced faction policy," the source said. (rms)