PDI leadership crisis in East Java over, Megawati says
PDI leadership crisis in East Java over, Megawati says
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chief Megawati
Soekarnoputri resisted the government's pressure yesterday to
retract her choice of Sutjipto to lead the East Java party
chapter.
Instead, she declared that the party leadership crisis in East
Java, one of PDI's strongest bases, was "over" and urged the
government to recognize Sutjipto.
"I once more call on all parties concerned, including the
government, to respect the (PDI) central executive board's
decision," she told journalists.
Megawati reasserted her stand to have Sutjipto at the helm
only two days after East Java Governor Basofi Sudirman apologized
to her for meddling in the party's internal affairs.
The crisis was triggered by the party's difficulties in
electing a new chapter chairman to replace Latief Pudjosakti, who
had completed his five year term.
A regional party congress earlier this year elected Sutjipto,
but the decision was put on hold after his rival, the government-
backed Latief, found that the number of ballot papers totaled
more than the number of eligible voters.
In subsequent developments, an electoral board formed by the
chapter elected Latief, but Megawati rejected him. She stood
behind Sutjipto, who is known to be one of her staunch
supporters.
The government refused to recognize Sutjipto on the grounds
that there were two chapter chairmen each claiming to be the
legitimate one.
Although Governor Basofi has apologized for meddling in PDI's
internal problems, the government has not made it clear whether
it will recognize Sutjipto.
Contender
Megawati, the eldest daughter of Indonesia's first president
Sukarno, said that she would not reverse her decision to choose
Sutjipto as the new East Java PDI chapter for whatever reasons.
She said Latief, a contender in last year's party chairman
election, who is one of Megawati's most ardent critics, had been
warned and ordered to accept her decision.
As there has been no indication that the crisis will end,
Latief still occupies the party's office in the East Java capital
of Surabaya.
Megawati said she had asked all PDI leaders throughout the
province to abide by her decision to have Sutjipto as their local
boss.
Asked when she would swear in Sutjipto, Megawati said that
inauguration was only a formality and could be done any time.
Late last month, Governor Basofi flexed his muscle by refusing
to inaugurate Sutjipto, a move that took all the party members
and guests by surprise. (pan)