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)