PDI-P councillors defy HQ
Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has threatened to dismiss its representatives in the Riau provincial legislature for defying an order to vote for losing gubernatorial candidate Saleh Djasit, but it will face a tough challenge.
The secretary of the party's faction in the legislature, J. Nadeak, said on Thursday the central board could not dismiss the councillors without following the proper procedures for such action.
"Disciplinary measures or dismissals are okay, but there are procedures the central board must comply with," Nadeak said, adding that the councillors were not solely to blame for the party's failure to win the gubernatorial post.
PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Roy BB Janis was reportedly upset by the failure of Saleh Djasit and Suryadi Khusaini to win the gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial posts in the election on Wednesday.
The PDI Perjuangan candidates received only two votes in the election. The eventual winners, Rusli Zainal and Wan Abubakar, who were nominated by the United Development Party (PPP), received 34 votes.
"There is only one word: Dismissal for disloyal party members," Roy, who observed the election, said afterward. He said 12 PDI Perjuangan councillors had violated the orders of party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Nadeak blamed the party's central board for nominating Suryadi as the deputy gubernatorial candidate despite resistance from councillors. Suryadi chairs the PDI Perjuangan's Riau chapter.
"He (Suryadi) did not deserve the nomination. Forget about running for the deputy gubernatorial post, nobody even voted for him in the election for commission chairman in the legislature," Nadeak said.
Nadeak said Megawati had asked the party's councillors to vote for Saleh, but never approved Suryadi's nomination.
"He is not a university graduate. Why was he nominated for the post?" Nadeak said.
He said only two of PDI Perjuangan's 14 councillors voted for Saleh and Suryadi, while four of the councillors cast their ballots for Rusli and Wan. The other eight councillors voted for incumbent governor Saleh and his running mate Chaidir, who were nominated by the Golkar Party.
"Suryadi should be held responsible for the flop. He ordered four councillors to support Rusli," Nadeak said. "Want proof? He held a party at his house to celebrate Rusli's win."
Suryadi was not available for comment.
Commenting on rumors that each PDI Perjuangan councillor who voted for Rusli would receive Rp 1.5 billion (US$178,500), Nadeak said he knew nothing about it.
"What I know is that Rusli and Suryadi made a deal," he said.