PDI's consolidation efforts hit snag

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)