PDI-P continues moves to unseat Bambang

PDI-P continues moves to unseat Bambang

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) continued
its campaign against State/Cabinet Secretary Bambang Kesowo for
reportedly having too many differences of opinion with the
President's husband, Taufik Kiemas, a legislator from the party
said on Sunday.

After advocating a separation of the two positions currently
held by Bambang, the party's deputy chairman, Roy B.B. Janis,
said that Bambang may not be the right person to handle state
administration affairs.

"There are too many blunders in the state's administration ...
this may be because the job requires too much to be entrusted to
only one person. But, we also think the official currently
holding this position is incompetent, and should resign," Roy, a
close confidante of Taufik, told The Jakarta Post.

He added that the party's executive board had discussed the
issue and come to the conclusion that President Megawati
Soekarnoputri, who is also chairwoman of the party, would not
object to the idea of replacing Bambang.

The rift between Bambang and Taufik has been visible since the
very beginning of President Megawati's tenure. Taufik and some
PDI-P members consider Bambang as standing between Megawati and
the party.

Bambang is a career bureaucrat who served the state
secretariat office since the regime of president Soeharto. He is
a noted administrator, and is well-known for his knowledge of
government regulations.

The continuing differences of opinion have, several times, led
some PDI-P members to mention their intentions to expel Bambang
from the current administration altogether.

The party's deputy secretary general Agnita Singadikane
admitted that there has been a feeling among party members that
Megawati belonged to them, and that Bambang should not limit
communications between Megawati and the party.

However, Megawati has played down this rift, saying that there
were some talks about the issue, but none so serious as many
people heard, and that, so far, there have been no major mistakes
at the state secretariat.

Rumors are swirling that another close friend of Taufik,
Tjahyo Kumolo, the current secretary for the party faction at the
House of Representatives, is set to replace Bambang, or take one
of his positions.

"But the party will consider how to go further for an official
political request from the House to separate the positions
between state and cabinet secretary, and to improve the
performance of the President's office," Roy remarked.