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.