Political party cleansing

Political party cleansing

In politics, "political cleansing" seems to me to be the
dirtiest expression coined and dirtiest tactic practiced to
annihilate political opponents, regardless of age or sex. The
Kosovo case serves as an example of how political cleansing was
carried out by the party leadership to get rid of party members
who violate the official party's policy.

Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan), Megawati Soekarnoputri, during the party's
congress in Jakarta recently, felt some cleansing of party ranks
was needed as some members of the regional as well as the central
legislative councils had compromised the party's cause and
principals by pursuing personal interests and even accepting
bribes. Some 27 to 30 party members have been expelled or
recalled from the various councils during the congress.

It must have been unpleasant for Megawati to carry out the
task as it risks losing some degree of popularity among her
followers. But there surely is no other option if PDI Perjuangan
wishes to win the next general elections.

It is an open secret that during by-elections for governors
and city mayors, the PDI Perjuangan candidates, in spite of
having a majority in the councils, have been defeated by
candidates of smaller parties. Such developments do not please
the party leadership. Serious assessment of party candidates who
are suspected of collaborating with the opposition is necessary.

Ideally, the chairperson of the country's largest political
party should not hold the post of vice president as this person
needs freer hands and a more objective view of the problems.
Somehow Megawati's actions and reactions in dealing with a
particular situation often appear to be slow.

Megawati's double role may weaken her leadership and harm her
party's image.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta