PDI-P leader fired, tension mounts in party
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.