'PDI, PPP should be in 1998 cabinet line-up'

'PDI, PPP should be in 1998 cabinet line-up'

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chief Soerjadi
proposed yesterday that minority parties be represented in the
1998 new cabinet line-up.

Under president Soekarno, between 1945 and 1966, cabinet
ministers were chosen from different political organizations.

At present, all cabinet ministers are picked from the Golkar
political grouping, which was founded by the Armed Forces in 1964
to counter the growing influence of the Indonesian Communist
Party.

"How colorful it would be if the Armed Forces, PDI, Golkar and
PPP (United Development Party) were all represented in the
cabinet," he said at party leadership meeting in Palangka Raya,
Central Kalimantan, Tuesday night.

Soerjadi, who was elected party leader at a government-backed
rebel congress in June, said such a representation would reflect
the implementation of the indigenous Pancasila democracy that the
government was always trumpeting.

He said under the present system, the PPP and PDI were
supposed to support the political elite but rarely got to enjoy
the fruits of this role.

The PDI has been riddled with leadership conflict and
observers are pessimistic about its chances in next year's
general election.

There was tight security surrounding the leadership meeting in
anticipation of violent demonstrations against Soerjadi by
supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri, who he deposed in June.

Soerjadi was embarrassed recently by the strong rejection he
received on his visit to several towns in Java. PDI supporters
loyal to Megawati reportedly pelted his entourage with stones and
eggs when he visited the town of Wonogiri.

Tuesday's leadership meeting in Palangka Raya passed without
incident, Antara reported. (pan)