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.