PDI Perjuangan maintains stance on dual functions
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) reiterated its opposition on Saturday to relinquishing the dual positions held by political party leaders and those who also hold government positions due to the country's political and economical conditions.
"In better circumstances, when the country is no longer plagued by economic, social and political crises, the dual role will no longer be necessary," Pramono Anung, the party's deputy secretary-general, said in support of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the party chairwoman.
Megawati told PDI Perjuangan members in Ponorogo, East Java on Saturday that a party leader who also occupied a public or government position would be able to gain a better understanding of the people's aspirations.
She, however, acknowledged that a person would be able to work more efficiently when he or she was only required to concentrate on one role.
"There is also good in it (for a person to hold one position). Because if there is only one position then the work would be well taken care of," she said in her speech when closing the PDI Perjuangan gathering, a meeting she denied was part of her party's preliminary political campaign for the 2004 election.
According to Pramono, the mass gathering was aimed at refreshing the party's stance, mission and ideology for PDI Perjuangan members in East Java.
State officials who currently hold a strategic position in the government have been advised to relinquish one of their posts, without necessarily leaving their party, as it could lead to abuse of power.
In official state visits, they reportedly often spent time for a session to consolidate local party members.
Aside from the President and Vice President, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais have come under fire as they reportedly often use state facilities for their respective parties.
In the event, Megawati also called on party members to stop coming into conflict with one another in order to keep the party intact.
"The chairwoman instructed all party members to refrain from using violence by deploying the masses to express their opinions, and to accept defeat with grace," Pramono said.
Rifts in PDI Perjuangan often originate from the election of party's functionaries, election of the legislative representatives and executive positions, Pramono told The Jakarta Post.
"But it is nothing serious," he quickly added.
In April, police clashed with PDI Perjuangan members protesting against the Surabaya office party head, M. Basuki, as they attempted to break into the Surabaya legislative office.
The demonstration was held by supporters of PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Sutjipto, who had allegedly fabricated documents which resulted in the ouster of Basuki. Sutjipto has denied any wrongdoing.