Party leaders and state officials

How to differentiate a state official from a party leader? The Vice President Hamzah Haz once issued a strong statement about the U.S. strikes on Afghanistan. In the meantime, the Indonesian government remained soft in its stance. The U.S. reaction to Hamzah's statement then emerged. Hamzah argued his comments had been made in his capacity as the chairman of the United Development Party (PPP).

Hamzah could make the argument. The fact is that he represents the constituents of the PPP, an Islamic-based party whose masses are enraged with U.S. strikes on Afghanistan. Yet, Hamzah is the vice president. How to differentiate whether the statement made is the official government stance or the parties?

Some senior figures of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan) have tried to minimize such confusion by asking Megawati, PDI-Perjuangan chairwoman as well as president, to surrender her technical responsibility in the party. However, this idea is rejected by other groups within the party. It is alleged that a party leader serving concurrently as a state official will give advantages to the party.

It's a dilemma which should be faced, something which should not occur if our officials are humble enough to relinquish their party roles.

--Koran Tempo, Jakarta