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)