PDIP to convene its own meeting of party leaders
JAKARTA (JP): Officials from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said on Tuesday they would convene a meeting of political party leaders, with July 15 identified as the most likely date.
PDI Perjuangan Secretary General Soetjipto claimed that all political party leaders had stated their willingness to attend the planned meeting.
"The meeting will be held around July 15, and its purpose is to create a sense of togetherness between political parties ahead of the special session," Soetjipto said, referring to the People's Consultative Assembly special session set to start on Aug. 1.
The latest announcement comes on the heels of a similarly planned gathering of political leaders hosted by President Abdurrahman Wahid on Monday.
But Abdurrahman's meeting was a dismal failure, as only National Awakening Party chairman Matori Abdul Djalil arrived at Bogor Palace to attend it.
Political consultations and dialog have heated up in the past few weeks as the special session draws near.
Abdurrahman has warned that if the special session goes ahead with its intention to seek a presidential accountability, he would declare a state of emergency and dissolve the legislature.
If a political compromise is not found in the coming three weeks, the special session could see the end of Abdurrahman's administration, with Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri next in line to take up the presidency.
Absent
But aides close to Megawati revealed that the PDI Perjuangan chairwoman herself might not attend the meeting of political leaders convened by her party.
The aide said it was important to avoid a public misperception that she might be compromised and politically indebted to other parties, should she assume the presidency a few weeks later.
"Ibu Megawati is also the Vice President, so it would be inappropriate for her to come to such meeting. However, the possibility of holding it is still open," the party's deputy secretary general Agnita Singadikane Irsal told The Jakarta Post.
She further contended that it was important for Megawati to preserve her public image and maintain political stability in the country, thus it would be difficult for her to come to the meeting of political party leaders.
Meanwhile, PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Mangara Siahaan said that the main items on the agenda of the meeting would likely be power-sharing between the political parties and also the selection of possible candidates for the vice presidential seat.
"There is an intention to start talking about power-sharing ahead of the special session," Mangara told journalists after the party's weekly meeting.
However, he refused to say if the meeting was also designed to cement support for Megawati's ascent.
"It is up to the political party leaders whether they want to support Megawati or not," he asserted.
He also announced that the party would convene a national working meeting for three days, starting on Thursday in the capital.
"The working meeting would be to discuss the party's stance at the coming special session and to brief all branches across the country on anticipatory steps to be taken after the special session," Mangara said.
He further underlined that the meeting would stress the importance of maintaining solidarity during the special session.
"I can assure you, if it concerns Megawati becoming president, none of the party's members will reject that, because it was the outcome of our congresses in Bali and Semarang that Megawati be our candidate for the presidency," Mangara remarked. (dja)