Observer paints gloomy picture of PDI in East Java

SURABAYA (JP): A senior political observer doubts that the appointment of Dimmy Haryanto as chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party's (PDI) East Java chapter will resolve the party's leadership problems in the province.

Ramlan Surbakti of Airlangga University said Saturday that Dimmy is barely known among local PDI activists and he questioned the legality of his appointment.

"Dimmy's appointment went against the party's constitution. He was named chapter chief without the endorsement of all party branches in the regencies," he told The Jakarta Post.

The government on Sept. 5 recognized PDI chief Soerjadi's choice of Dimmy as chair the East Java chapter, ending nearly three years of internal squabbling.

Until Dimmy's appointment the top slot was claimed by Soetjipto -- a loyalist of deposed PDI chief Megawati Soekarnoputri -- and Latief Pudjosakti, who enjoyed the apparent backing of the local government.

Dimmy was appointed by an selection committee consisting of himself, Soerjadi and Latief Pudjosakti in a "consultation of party branches", a forum unrecognized in the PDI's constitution.

Soerjadi, who was elected PDI chief in a government-sanctioned rebel congress in Medan last June, argued that forums formed in times of crisis are legal.

The appointment of Dimmy has received an enthusiastic response from governor Basofi Sudirman, who has been widely accused of meddling in the party branch's internal affairs.

Soetjipto, however, refuses to recognize Dimmy because he still recognizes Megawati as the legitimate chairwoman of the PDI.

Ramlan said that Dimmy's election was unconstitutional because the selection committee did not involve any party activists from the Megawati camp.

"It is difficult to imagine Dimmy being able to solve the dragging conflict," Ramlan said.

Ramlan predicted that the appointment would mark a new phase in the leadership conflict, as Dimmy is supported by Latief and the government in one camp and Soetjipto, who retains mass strong support, in the other.

"The new conflict will be more interesting to observe in the run-up to the 1997 general election when Dimmy and Soetjipto fight for popular support," Ramlan said.

He predicted that if Dimmy and Soetjipto fail to reconcile, the PDI would have a poor showing in East Java because many party activists will probably refuse to cast their ballots.

Separately, Soetjipto told the Post that Dimmy's election is unconstitutional.

"I stick to my principle to reject the Medan congress and all its results. The Thursday meeting (which elected Dimmy) had no legal grounding whatsoever," he said. (15/pan)