PDI Perjuangan to proceed with House memorandum
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) on Friday renewed its commitment to proceed with the memorandum and shunned efforts to pursue a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) for President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Chairman of the PDI Perjuangan faction at the House of Representatives (DPR) Arifin Panigoro said holding the Assembly's special session was not feasible.
"We'll continue with the memorandum process. We'll not ask for the special session, but maintain our daily alertness," Arifin said after attending the meeting of the party's executive board at its headquarters.
He said the party's chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri called, during the closed-door meeting, for unity among all party members amid heated internal friction in the party.
"Ibu (Megawati) said that to deal with huge political matters such as during this time, party leaders should sit together to discuss all political issues," Arifin said.
He was referring to internal bickering, especially regarding calls for the party's executive board to replace him as the faction chairman.
"Different perceptions shouldn't be a problem. Ibu has maintained that there won't be any changes," Arifin said.
"We will watch (the government) closely from time to time. The point is that it isn't easy to speed up the Assembly's special session," the legislator said.
Internal bickering was obvious after the House decided to conduct a probe into two financial scandals -- the Brunei and Bulog scams -- that allegedly involved the President.
Arifin had reportedly shown his intention to pursue radical maneuvers against the President, while some party members were determined to take more conservative moves against Abdurrahman. Some members then urged the party's executive board to fire Arifin from his current position.
After the issuance of the memorandum on Feb. 1, Arifin reportedly attended a series of meetings to speed up the special session that could lead to Abdurrahman's downfall.
It was reported that some 90 out of the faction's 153 members had signed the petition to replace Arifin and submitted it to the executive board. However, Megawati has chosen to maintain Arifin.
Megawati's decision to defend Arifin, however, is likely to have disappointed some faction members.
"Actually, we're disappointed with the executive board's final decision, but Ibu said that there is still a chance for us to talk to her about it," party member Permadi said.
"But, this is the party's decision... there is nothing we can do. Ibu told all party members to stick together in dealing with current political issues," he added.
Separately, State Minister for Cooperatives and Small/Medium Enterprises Zarkasih Nur said the memorandum must not jeopardize the work of the Cabinet.
"I myself see the memorandum as a process that must be followed. It's not the end of the world. In a way.. we have to see how things go. Meanwhile, we in the Cabinet will work our best to run the administration," Zarkasih said on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the Samudera Jakarta fishing port.
"Therefore. I'll not resign from the cabinet because the government must shape up its performance as asked by the House," he said, while dismissing reports on pressure from his party that he leave the Cabinet.
He also expressed confidence that the Cabinet will survive the memorandum.
"I believe that everything must be done legally and for me, Gus Dur (Abdurrahman's nickname) and Megawati are constitutionally our leaders. They've been elected by the people to lead this country and therefore we should give them our support," he said. (dja/edt)