PDI Perjuangan maintains stance on dual functions

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.