PDI chief now allowed to meet party leaders

JAKARTA (JP): East Java military authorities gave the green light yesterday to chief of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri to meet with local party leaders.

"If her (Megawati's) intention is to meet with party members, I have no objection. Why should we ban a meeting," East Java military chief Maj. Gen. Imam Utomo said in Surabaya yesterday.

The general's statement came only a day after the local authorities forcefully dispersed a gathering of PDI activists in Madiun and refused to issue a permit for one in Kediri citing administrative reasons.

Megawati has been banned from meeting her supporters in East Java since she was elected in 1993, despite the government's effort to block her election.

The East Java PDI chapter has been riddled by a leadership rift, which was deepened recently by the East Java governor Basofi Sudirman's refusal to recognize Megawati's appointment of Sutjipto last year.

The provincial government has openly lent its sympathy to the outgoing PDI chapter chief Latief Pudjosakti, Megawati's critic and Sutjipto's political foe.

Basofi's strong rejection to allow Megawati to hold consolidation meetings with local party leaders has earned him criticism from many quarters.

Imam was quoted by Antara as saying that Megawati and the governor should resolve their differences before she could meet her supporters in the province.

"Pak Basofi has so far not replied to her request (for a party gathering). So they should work to solve their differences," he said.

On Wednesday, authorities in Madiun broke up a gathering attended by the party's senior executives from Jakarta and local party leaders.

Chief of the regency government's sociopolitical affairs department Sukiyat, who personally came to disperse the gathering, said that the local government did not permit the attendance of the executives from Jakarta.

In Kediri, the authorities have refused to issue a permit for a party conference that will be attended by Megawati, according to Antara.

Meanwhile, in the Central Java town of Salatiga, 30 youth activists from nine subdistricts threw their support yesterday behind Megawati's possible run for the presidency in 1998.

The Salatiga Youths for PDI have sent their petition to the party's Central Java chapter. Last week, seven PDI branches in the province urged the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to nominate Megawati for president.

Also yesterday, chief of the Surakarta PDI chapter Makyo Sumaryo -- a Megawati's supporter -- said the time is not right for her to enter the presidential race because President Soeharto is still too strong to challenge. (pan)