PDI Perjuangan wants recall mechanism

PDI Perjuangan wants recall mechanism

I Wayan Juniarta and Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post,
Kuta, Bali

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
concluded its three-day meeting on Friday with a controversial
proposal to revive the recall mechanism at the House of
Representatives in its aim to inculcate discipline among its
dissident legislators.

Sutjipto, the secretary-general of PDI Perjuangan, said at a
news conference before the three-day meeting's close that the
proposed revival of the mechanism was one of 16 important points
recommended to the party to be followed up in the near future.

"The proposal came from members of the party's executive
board, winning the support of the forum during the plenary
session and should be taken as one of the meeting's
recommendations," he said.

Sutjipto explained that the party was in urgent need of re-
establishing the recall mechanism at the House to allow political
party leaders the right to dismiss legislators who breach their
parties' policies.

The proposal surfaced in line with numerous political agenda
in the legislature that requires the solidarity of party
legislators in the decision-making process.

PDI Perjuangan has been criticized for forcing its legislators
in the House and provincial and regency legislatures to fully
support the party's leadership policy.

Two prominent cases in which PDI Perjuangan's legislators were
forced to comply with the party's policies were Megawati's
support for Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso's re-election for a second
term of office and the party's rejection of the investigation
into the Rp 40 billion Buloggate, which implicates House Speaker
Akbar Tandjung.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri who chairs PDI Perjuangan has
been widely criticized for ignoring the political aspirations of
the party's legislators because of her authoritative character.

With the advent of the reform era, the recall mechanism was
phased out from political laws since it had been abused by
political party leaders during the 32-year New Order era to
dismiss outspoken legislators.

In the party's annual meeting held at Senayan Sport Stadium
last year, Megawati also lambasted outspoken legislators, saying
that they gained House seats through the party.

The party has been rocked by prolonged internal friction
following claims of undemocratic decision-making process in the
party.

Three legislators --Sophan Sophiaan, Dimyati Hartono and
Indira Sugondho -- have quit because of Megawati's leadership and
what they said was undemocratic decision-making process in the
party.

Nevertheless, PDI Perjuangan cannot enjoy a recall mechanism
in the near future as it was not regulated in the political
bills.

Sutjipto who was accompanied by his deputy Pramono Anung
Wibowo and PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Mangara Siahaan, said
that the party was also ready to make the Assembly's annual
session scheduled for Aug. 1 until Aug. 12, a success.

"The party will throw its full support behind a direct
presidential election and other crucial issues in the amended
Constitution in its endeavor to avoid a deadlock," he said.

He did not comment on when the amended Constitution would take
effect. Many worry that the party will support the enforcement of
the amended Constitution in 2009, instead of 2004.