PDI sacks defiant officials

PDI sacks defiant officials

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) leadership
has sacked a member of its executive board and a controversial
activist in East Java for insubordination.

The secretary general of the crisis-ridden party, Alex Litaay,
announced here over the weekend that it had relieved Gerry
Mbatemoy, a member of the executive board, of his post and
dismissed Latief Pudjosakti, the self-styled chairman of the East
Java chapter of the party, from PDI membership.

Alex said that the decision was made at a meeting on Saturday,
which was attended by the party's chairwoman Megawati
Soekarnoputri and members of the central executive board.

Gerry did not attend the meeting.

Alex said that Gerry had been found guilty of forging the
PDI's seal which he used to legalize a letter of appointment for
Latief as chairman of the chapter.

Alex added that Gerry's guilt was proven in the meeting.

The secretary general said that before taking the measure, the
PDI leadership had twice warned Latief for his defiance to party
policy, but he remained unmoved.

Alex said that the party will soon discuss Latief's position
as deputy speaker of the East Java Legislative Council
representing the PDI.

He said that Saturday's decision was solid because it was
signed by 25 members of the executive board.

"They include those who until recently supported Gerry's act,"
the secretary general said.

He said that there is always a possibility for two officials
to be reinstated if they behave. "If they remain defiant the
decision will stay," he said.

Meanwhile Gerry said on Saturday that he would retaliate for
the decision.

He did not elaborate and only said, as quoted by the Surabaya-
based newspaper Jawa Pos, "I will announce my plan to the press
later."

Gerry installed Latief as chairman of PDI's East Java chapter
in an unauthorized ceremony in Surabaya late last month. PDI
leader Megawati had earlier appointed Sutjipto, Latief's main
rival, for the post.

Latief set up his own provincial leadership of the party in
September after he lost an election to Sutjipto. The crisis got
out of hand after the local authorities threw their support
behind Latief and refused to recognize Sutjipto. (tis)