PDI Perjuangan to proceed with House memorandum

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)