PDI congress

Contrary to what the government has repeatedly announced, that is, that it will not interfere with the Indonesian Democratic Party's internal affairs and will leave the settlement of the party's prolonged conflict to its members; it ultimately issued a permit for Soerjadi to hold a congress in Palu this week. Not only that, Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid on behalf of President B.J. Habibie was scheduled to open the controversial event. This obviously shows that the present government, renowned to be reformative in nature and actions, publicly and openly sides with one of the two rival groups -- Soerjadi's side.

Although it has been said that no special protection would be accorded to the participants of the congress, at least 1,000 police officers will be deployed to safeguard the gathering. This is not counting the money (to be) provided by the local and central administrations to make the event happen and the airfare for Syarwan Hamid. In this time of economic turmoil in which an increasing number of people are suffering from a shortage of money to buy food, this is certainly a staggering exhibition of power, arrogance, supremacy and financial establishment on the part of the government.

As the rift between the two Indonesian Democratic Party sides has not been settled, while holding a congress is a far cry from solving the conflict and will not lead to a settlement, issuing Soerjadi a permit, opening his congress and safeguarding it means meddling in the party's internal affairs. And doing so by siding with one group will certainly incite anger from the other side. This anger, which could lead to disruption and riots, is inevitable as Megawati's side has appealed and warned the government not to grant a permit to Soerjadi's minimally supported congress.

However, although resistance to the congress and support for Megawati has widely and successively flowed both from Megawati's supporters and the public, the government doesn't seem to pay heed. Both Soerjadi and the government keep going on with their plans and political maneuvers, stubbornly ignoring the public.

By way of contrast, the government has threatened to take firm action against any party that tries to disrupt the gathering, especially that from Megawati's side. Such an approach was commonly used in the Soeharto regime.

Being present at the gathering, Syarwan and other government officials will have to be safeguarded. And if the event is disrupted, especially by Megawati's supporters, their actions will be used as a means to dole out legitimate punishment. And if Megawati's supporters do disrupt the congress, let alone harm anybody, the government will have more ammunition and power to topple or defame Megawati.

They forget that Megawati never asks anyone, let alone her cadres and supporters, to make trouble.

Any such action would come from her sympathizers who volunteer to do and initiate such things. These individuals empowered by sympathy, loyalty and desperation would do anything to disrupt the congress and stop participants from attending. Despite their financial constraints, they have organized themselves without Megawati's knowledge to obstruct participants from entering the quarters of the congress and have gone to Palu to do so. They are reportedly ready to die for Megawati.

The government should be held responsible for any disturbance during the controversial congress.

MATIAS SINAGA

Surabaya, East Java