Quo vadis PDI?

The party of fusion has turned, temporarily at least, into a party of confusion. However, being an underdog, the Indonesian Democratic Party could win popular support and sympathy, not out of ideological persuasion (how could a fused party have an ideology of its own) but rather from protest votes and/or the perception that PDI has been unfairly treated. The Musyawarah Nasional (National Concord) of 1993, in which the eldest daughter of the late president Soekarno was elected chairwoman put the ruckus in the PDI on the back burner. But the latest development has shown the concord has turned into a discord.

Without much practical experience, but with her father's charismatic name, Megawati could be what American pollsters call a "votes catcher" -- and a strong one at that.

There has indeed been great confusion as regards the purpose of holding a congress at this particular time, one year before the general election. If the congress dumps the current chairwoman it could have serious repercussions on PDI. It is like changing horses mid race, the new horse could flounder.

If there is no intention of dethroning the incumbent chairwoman, then unequivocal denial should be issued immediately. As of now, the plan to hold a congress has led to an unnecessary split.

To my non-political mind, the urgent problem now facing PDI, and for the other party for that matter, is how to consolidate its strategy to win votes in the general election. All bickering and feuds should be put aside until after the legislative election. That would be the right time to evaluate the performance of PDI.

If the main objective of holding a congress is to change the chairperson then the following guesses can be made:

* The congress-now group has strong reason to fear that under the current chairmanship, PDI would be unable to maintain the number of chairs gained in the 1992 elections.

* Certain PDI bigwigs probably harbor deep grudges against the chairwoman, because she is not from the so-called "inner circle", those who have reached the top leadership from below through long years of dedication to PDI.

It is not the best time to hold a party congress, unless it is to discuss plans and steps to consolidate PDI strategy to face the general election. If the purpose of convening a congress is to unseat Megawati, the party could be plunged into further splits and bickering.

SOEGIO SOSROSOEMARTO

Jakarta