PDI's consolidation efforts hit snag

JAKARTA (JP): Consolidation efforts within the rift-ridden Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) has hit snags in East Java and South Sulawesi, party chief Megawati Soekarnoputri said yesterday.

In the remaining 25 provinces, consolidation has been achieved with few obstacles, Megawati said when meeting with Home Affairs Minister Moch. Yogie S.M. yesterday.

Megawati was accompanied by other top party leaders, deputy chairpersons Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno and Fatimah Achmad and Secretary-General Alexander Litaay.

She discussed, in particular, the dragging problem PDI faces in East Java, where the local government bans her from meeting with her supporters.

In the 30-minute meeting, Megawati said that she would keep trying to seek permission from the East Java government to meet her supporters.

The problem in East Java stems from the local government's refusal to recognize the chairmanship of the East Java party chapter, Sutjipto, an ardent supporter of Megawati.

Megawati appointed Sutjipto to replace the government-backed Latief Pudjosakti, an ardent critic of Megawati, after a congress failed to elect a new chairman last year.

The East Java authorities refuse to issue a permit for any gathering on the grounds that her presence could spark physical clashes between her supporters and foes.

Megawati, late President Sukarno's daughter, who was elected by a popular vote in 1993 to lead the PDI, said she wanted to visit East Java in the near future.

She declined to explain the problem that PDI faces in South Sulawesi.

"We have lost a lot of time, almost a year, due to this problem. The Minister of Home Affair said he also wants to see it resolved, so that we can accomplish other major tasks," she told reporters.

She added that the party has been busy preparing for the upcoming 1997 general election.

Megawati said she is relieved to hear the minister of home affairs reiterate time and again that the government recognizes only her leadership because she was elected constitutionally.

"This should mean that the party has the constitutional grounds and rights to resolve its internal problems and to do what we think is right," she said.

Yogie reasserted Monday that the government rejects the rival leadership of PDI under Yusuf Merukh, who has set up rival executive boards in various provinces.(pwn)