PDI-P councillors defy HQ

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.