Party threats

Party threats

From Koran Tempo

The Central Java regional board of the United Development
Party (PPP) has threatened to dismiss members who fail to support
Megawati Soekarnoputri and Hasyim Muzadi in the presidential
runoff (Tempo Interaktif, Aug. 23).

Logically, if a party truly represented the people's
aspirations, such a threat would be unnecessary because the
party's stance would automatically be in accordance with the
wishes of the grassroots.

What this threat indicates is that the regional board realizes
the coalition it has formed does not have popular support,
leading to the fear of insubordination within the party's ranks.

Tragically, most Indonesian people are still poor and
uneducated, making them easy targets of intimidation, enticement
and bribery. This fact enables corrupt and opportunistic parties
to thrive and survive.

DWI RAHARJO
Bandung