PDIP comes under fire from experts

SEMARANG (JP): The first congress of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) crossed the finishing line unimpeded, but has raised criticism from both insiders and outsiders over its failure to live up to people's demands.

Senior PDI Perjuangan members Suparlan and Aberson Marle Sihaloho expressed their disappointment with the congress for its inability to touch on fundamental problems the party and the nation are facing.

In more ruthless criticism, political observers Indria Samego and Arbi Sanit said the country's largest party had suffered a major setback and taught a worthless political lesson to the public.

"The issue of a modern party was clearly mentioned by Megawati Soekarnoputri in her address at the opening of the congress, but instead of following up the call, the congress participants were busy with the race for the key posts," Suparlan said here on Saturday.

He questioned the new executive board lineup, which again is headed by Megawati for the next five years, saying it did not reflect a modern party and would be unable to steer PDI Perjuangan to success in the 2004 general election.

"The new executive board is, of course, accommodative but no potential cadres, except Kwik Kian Gie, have been recruited," Suparlan said.

Reelected chairwoman Megawati included five new faces and representatives of various regions and religious groups on her 17-member board of executives.

Both of Megawati's contenders for the top post, Dimyati Hartono and Eros Djarot, were sidelined.

Suparlan, who claimed to raise his criticism for the party's benefit, also doubted that the inclusion of cadres from various regions on the executive board would guarantee that the party's internal conflicts would be settled soon.

Aberson said none of the congress' decisions could address the country's current political, economic and social problems.

"Not only Megawati, but President Abdurrahman Wahid has also proposed the direct election of the president and vice president in 2004, but the congress failed to take a stance on the issue," he said.

He said he observed that the congress was a waste of money because it served more as an event for a show of force than thoughtful discussion on solving the party's existing problems.

Aberson said the party also failed to issue the party's recommendations on human rights, regional autonomy and social injustice.

"If the party is committed to upholding human rights, the congress should urge the government and the legislative body to make laws, for example, on freedom of religion, freedom of union, freedom of expression and others," he said.

Aberson, who is also a member of the House of Representatives Commission for finance and the state budget, regretted that the congress did not recommend solutions to the country's economic problems, especially those of overburdened subsidies and foreign loans.

He said the state budget's allocation for electricity and oil subsidies would adversely affect the country's market-oriented economy because it would distort the market.

"This is an important issue but it drew no attention from the congress," he said.

Indria of the National Institute of Science said PDI Perjuangan had lost the democratic attitude of respecting diversity since the very beginning of the congress.

"Only people who support Megawati were allowed to participate in the event," Indria said on Sunday, referring to moves to ban Eros from the congress.

He said the nomination of Megawati had generated unfair competition, which made it impossible for both Eros and Dimyati to contest the top post.

"Megawati should have withdrawn from the race in order to create a democratic environment," Indria said.

The fact that PDI Perjuangan failed to end its dependence on Megawati gives the party a time bomb, according to Indria.

"The party will only survive the 2004 election if Megawati is still there. But if she quits, the party will simply fall apart," he said.

"Her (Megawati's) reelection may be needed for the short-term, namely to keep the party intact. But it will be a threat to its survival in the long run," he added.

Arbi Sanit of the University of Indonesia labeled the just concluded congress an embarrassment to democracy in the country.

"If I were a member of the party I would resign," Arbi said.

The composition of the executive board lineup reflected the party's intention to gain blind loyalty from its supporters, according to Arbi.

"They threw critics away, but maintained the fanatics," he said.

Arbi predicted that in the 2004 election, intellectual people would not vote for the party. (rms/swa/har/dja)