'Poros Indonesia' members could be sacked: Theo

'Poros Indonesia' members could be sacked: Theo

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) deputy chairman Theo Syafei threatened to dismiss
party members who join splinter group "Poros Indonesia" and
pursue policies contrary to the party.

"They could be given warning letters and even fired if their
statements go against party policy," Theo announced after a
meeting at the party's headquarters on Tuesday.

He said the party still considered "Poros Indonesia"
(Indonesia Axis) as only a faction within the party, rejecting
that the group is a breakaway faction of the party.

"We don't think that the group is a big problem. A faction
within a political party is common and a natural phenomenon," the
retired lieutenant general said.

He also refuted the group's claim that PDI Perjuangan former
treasurer and former minister of investment and state enterprises
development Laksamana Sukardi had joined the group.

He said Laksamana earlier pledged to remain loyal to the
party.

Meanwhile, Poros Indonesia supporter Mochtar Buchori brushed
aside Theo's threat, saying the group was founded to uphold
democratization and to correct irregularities within the party.

"If we are dismissed because we are struggling for democracy,
it's OK," Mochtar, formerly head of the party's research and
development body, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday evening.

He said the group would officially be launched on June 6 to
coincide with the birthday of the country's first president,
Sukarno.

He said the group, which was initiated by party legislators
Meliono Suwondo and Haryanto Taslam, also included people outside
the party.

Meliono and Taslam are the party's former deputy treasurer and
deputy secretary-general.

Film director Eros Djarot, who challenged Megawati
Soekarnoputri as party chairperson in a recent congress two
months ago in Semarang, has also reportedly joined the group.
(jun)