PDI seeks govt aid to hold congress

JAKARTA (JP): The government-recognized board of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) requested government financial assistance yesterday for its planned June congress.

"Our financial source is only the government because PDI is not financially self-sufficient," PDI chairman Soerjadi said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Minister of Home Affairs R. Hartono, Soerjadi said he realized it would be difficult for the government to fully meet the financial request due to the economic crisis.

"We, therefore, will minimize our spending by selectively limiting the congress participants' transportation and accommodation allowances," he said.

"PDI will bear the expenditures of low-income participants only," he added.

Hartono said yesterday that it would be impossible for the government to grant the kind of financial assistance it provided for the party's 1996 congress in Medan, North Sumatra.

The 1996 congress was bankrolled by the government at a cost of Rp 1.4 billion (US$175,000).

"The congress organizing committee should understand that our country is in crisis," Hartono remarked.

Hartono reiterated yesterday earlier statements that the government would not interfere in the party's internal affairs, regardless of the amount of internal bickering.

"I don't think that I have to provide a solution. It's the PDI members' judgment," Hartono remarked.

Megawati Soekarnoputri was ousted from the party's top position by Soerjadi in the 1996 government-backed congress. The congress split the party in two and eventually diminished much of its political weight.

PDI lost most of its seats in the legislature during last year's general election. The party currently holds 11 seats in the House of Representatives, a big drop after taking 52 seats following the 1992 election.

Asked yesterday about the possibility of Megawati participating in the upcoming congress, which will elect the party's 1998/2003 chairperson, Soerjadi said it would be up to her to decide.

"PDI will welcome her if she wants to return," he said.

Speaking about the possibility of an "outsider" becoming the next party chairperson, Hartono again said it would rest on the PDI members to decide.

Rumors have been rife that former minister of transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo, a former Golkar ally, could be one of the candidates for the party leadership.

PDI is a coalition of nationalist and Christian political parties. It consists of the former Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI), the Murba Party, the Independence Vanguard Party (IPKI), the Indonesian Catholic Party and the Indonesian Christian Party, which were merged in 1973 as the government sought to pare the number of political parties contesting the 1977 election down to three.

Since its establishment in 1973, the party has been riddled with leadership conflicts. (imn)