PDI makes development in its main campaign theme

BOGOR, West Java (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) plans to zero in on changes to national development programs during the general electoral campaign from April 27 to May 22.

Government-recognized chairman of the party Soerjadi told a meeting here yesterday of the 230 cadres who will train PDI's campaign speakers that pushing for changes does not mean the party seeks to destroy existing development achievements, or to topple the legitimate government.

"PDI is always prepared to give the government constructive criticism if anything goes wrong with our development programs," Soerjadi said.

"Development itself is a change, although the change must not harm the overall sustainable development process." he added.

The election campaign precedes the May 29 general election, featuring PDI, the dominant political organization, Golkar, and the United Development Party.

In the 1992 election, PDI made the controversial issue of limiting a president's tenure in office to only two terms as its campaign theme, although it finally endorsed incumbent President Soeharto's reelection for a sixth consecutive term.

PDI has decided not to rely on the campaign as a means to canvass votes as it believes the election rules do not allow it to make full use of the campaign period.

"We are preparing a number of tricks to gain votes without having to violate the election rules. This will be our best-kept secret," Soerjadi said yesterday.

The party's calls for change covers political, economic, legal and sociocultural issues.

Soerjadi said the existing political system had yet to encourage the fulfillment of people's democratic rights as suggested by the 1945 Constitution.

"This sort of 'formal democracy' must turn into 'substantial democracy' through the refurbishment of political instruments," he said.

The party suggested the empowering of the House of Representatives as a controlling body to be equal with the government. "We have to revise the House's internal rules so that it can exercise its budgetary rights. If necessary, the rules must be adopted as a law," Soerjadi said.

PDI renewed its call for separate leadership in the House and the People's Consultative Assembly, saying that the assembly is an institution which is more senior than the House, the President and all other state bodies. Since 1971, the House speaker has also been the leader of the People's Consultative Assembly.

The assembly comprises the 500 House members plus 500 representatives of various groups and professions nominated by Soeharto.

Stating its stance on political development, the party urged the government to let all political groups grow up independently. At the same time, however, PDI asked the government to earmark financial aid for the three political organizations from the state budget.

PDI also called on the Armed Forces to start focusing on its job of "introducing dynamics" to society, and to refrain from affiliating itself to a certain political group.

The Armed Forces played a pivotal role in the setting up of Golkar in the early 1960s and has been included in Golkar's family at large.

Soerjadi said the government should revoke its "floating mass" policy, which prevents political parties from having grassroots branches, and recognize the rights and responsibilities of all three political groups to improve the public's political awareness.

On legal development, PDI called for a strong Supreme Court. It also urged the government to work together with the House to carry out the national legislation program by drawing up a priority list of laws needed by the public.

On economic development, PDI reiterated the importance of a national consensus to guarantee the use of economic resources for the utmost benefit of the public as mandated by the Constitution. (23/amd)