PDI-P leader fired, tension mounts in party

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A leading figure within President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has been dismissed, fueling tensions within the deeply troubled party.

The party's executive board, led by Megawati, decided to replace the chairman of the party's faction in the House of Representatives, Roy B.B. Janis, with Tjahyo Kumolo during the board's weekly meeting.

Tjahyo, a former member of the Golkar Party that backed former president Soeharto's authoritarian regime, is known to be close to Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas, an influential legislator.

Reliable source told The Jakarta Post that Roy was replaced due to repeated run ins with Taufik.

The discord rose to the surface when Roy opposed the party's decision not to oust Akbar Tandjung as house speaker after he was convicted of his part in stealing Rp 40 billion intended to feed Indonesia's poor.

The second dispute erupted when Megawati ordered the PDI Perjuangan faction not to support the investigation into the controversial purchase of Russian fighter aircraft, which allegedly involved Megawati's inner circle.

Roy's replacement comes just five days after several party figures submitted a no-confidence motion in the party's leadership, saying it had exceeded the party's political platform and mission.

PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary Pramono Anung Wibowo denied increasing internal frictions, saying the "minor" reshuffle was part of efforts to prepare for next year's electoral campaign.

"We need all party leaders' support ahead of the election campaign period."

On Aug. 14, two party figures Sophan Sophiaan and Meilono Soewondo sent a letter to the party leadership, expressing their concern over the party's greed for power, which they said had tarnished the party's image.

"PDI Perjuangan could not position itself as reformists as it is busy securing its short-term interests...," Meilono stated.

He said that besides failing to act in the interests of the poor, the discredited party had contributed to widening the gap between rich and poor.

Sophan quit the party in disgust last year.

Another senior PDI Perjuangan legislator, State Minister of National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie has labeled his party as Indonesia's most corrupt.

Pramono denied rumors that the party leadership was recalling outspoken legislators, including such as Meilono, Haryanto Taslam, Arifin Panigoro and Julius Usman.

"The party has no plan to do so, and will focus on the legislative and presidential elections," Pramono said, adding that Megawati had labeled the no-confidence motion a dream.

According to the party rules, it needs political support from at least two thirds of the party's regional chapters to hold a special congress to reshuffle the party leadership.

Several PDI Perjuangan members have quit the party and established their own party following internal frictions with party leadership.

Eros Djarot, a former close friend of Megawati within PDI Perjuangan, established the Bung Karno Nationalist Party (PNBK) while Dimiaty Hartono, along with Megawati's younger sister Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, set up the Fatherland Fighter Party (Peta).

Panda Nababan was voted as secretary of the PDI Perjuangan faction at the House to replace Tjahyo.