PDI Perjuangan challenges ahead

PDI Perjuangan challenges ahead

The ongoing congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in Semarang, Central Java, has, for the
party in particular and the nation's democratic process, after
the first truly democratically elected government, a special
historical significance. Because the result of the general
election was a coalition-based government and the administration
that followed showed weaknesses in terms of lack of policy
coordination among ministers.

Officially, there is no opposition party, but critical groups
and individuals began to speak out, giving the impression that
the reformist progressive administration or Cabinet, is on the
defense.

PDI Perjuangan and its ministers have been singled out for
attacks with political purposes in mind. Some critics have spared
no time in pointing out that the government's economic policy was
bound to fail. The 2000 state budget was said by a critic to be
lacking in vision, something that was clearly more politically
motivated. PDI Perjuangan, naturally, had to respond to these
charges, founded or unfounded.

The Semarang congress should end with a solidifying of its
ranks vis-a-vis the opposition forces and the selection of new
cadres who are less selfish and more dedicated to the ideals and
aspirations of the party. How many such committed idealists are
left following the victory in the general election which brought
the party to power with the most votes?

It is disappointing, indeed, that PDI Perjuangan should have
to rely on almost the same cadres, at least at the top positions.
The selection by the congress of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the
"new" general chairwoman indicates a strong unity among the party
loyalists to the present leadership. But it is interesting to
watch if Megawati can cope with the fact that she must also
function as the country's vice president without the opposition
forces or elements of discontent having more opportunities to
shoot their targets. Even within PDI Perjuangan ranks, corruption
is openly committed.

The party leaders have to work very hard and be more dedicated
if the party wants to retain a majority in the 2004 proposed
direct general elections. Being a Hajjah, perhaps Megawati has a
better chance.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta