PDI and JFK

Even as an outsider, not being a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party, I am sad that the Party is having trouble, and to be honest I do not really know what it is all about. What are the reasons for the rift in the PDI?

Is it because one group wanted a congress and the other didn't? Both will have had good reasons for their stance. One group said the congress was in line with the Party Constitution, while the other group insisted that it wasn't. In my opinion, this has nothing to do with the basic principles of the PDI as a party.

Or could it be that one group does not like Megawati, because Megawati proved to be a strongwilled lady, so they felt they had to find someone else? But again this does not touch on the basic principles of the PDI.

Or perhaps there are ambitious members, who want to lead the party and satisfy their political ambition, and Megawati was in their way. But again this has nothing to do with the political program of the PDI and only reflects personal interests.

Who is the biggest loser in this fight? Certainly not Golkar and I think not the PPP either. It is the PDI itself and the nation as a whole suffers. All this projects a bad image to the world and shows the immaturity of Indonesians in democratic life.

There are lots of educated people in the PDI, and people with plenty of experience in politics.

With a cool head and a tolerant attitude based on the principle of musyawarah untuk mufakat, I am sure an understanding for the sake of the PDI and Indonesia can be reached. Perhaps we should paraphrase a famous statement of Kennedy's: "Do not ask what the party can do for you, but ask what you can do for the party."

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta