PDI row is an internal problem, says official

PDI row is an internal problem, says official

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday insisted
on keeping out of the row besetting the East Java chapter of the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), stressing that the matter
should be settled locally rather than at a national level.

In the latest attempt to resolve the conflict which
increasingly undermines the party's strength, PDI Secretary-
General Alexander Litaay yesterday visited the ministry to meet
with Director General for Sociopolitical Affairs Sutoyo N.K.

Sutoyo's answer, however, was a firm "no" to any intervention
by the ministry, stressing that the matter should be resolved by
the party leaders with East Java Governor Basofi Sudirman.

Alexander declined to discuss the result of his meeting with
Sutoyo. "Sorry, I have no news. I have to report to the Central
Executive Board first," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Many PDI leaders in Jakarta have accused Basofi of meddling in
the party's affairs in East Java. Some hope the Ministry of Home
Affairs pressures him into relenting.

The party's East Java chapter has been split into two camps,
one headed by the incumbent Latief Pudjosakti who has the tacit
support of Basofi, and another headed by Sutjipto, who is
supported by the PDI's central board under Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

Latief, who still commands strong support from the party's
rank and files in East Java, has long been an ardent critic of
Megawati.

Basofi refuses to officially recognize either camp. He
announced that he has left vacant the PDI seats in the East Java
election committee. The committee, which was formed in January,
will supervise the general election next year.

"The key to the solution is in the hands of Basofi and PDI,"
Sutoyo announced after meeting with Alexander.

The central government, in accordance with the law, is
entrusting the matter fully to the provincial administration, he
said, adding that this meant that the PDI leaders should consult
with the East Java administration officials.

"That's the law," he said. "The matter could be brought to the
central government if several chapters were experiencing
problems. But, so far, the problem is confined to East Java."
(emb)