PDI and JFK

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."

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