'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)