Reform group proposes collective leadership of PDI-P

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A faction in the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), calling itself the Reform Group, has suggested the upcoming party congress form a presidium to provide transitional leadership as the party moves away from current leader Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The head of the PDI-P National Reform Movement, Didi Supriyanto, said a presidium would allow the party to face future challenges, keep up with the country's changing political dynamics and put an end to the PDI-P's leadership crisis.

"A presidium would provide a revolutionary way to respond to challenges. The collective leadership could include the children of (founding president) Sukarno, professionals and former Cabinet ministers who have good domestic and international networks," Didi was quoted as saying by Antara.

He said a modern party like the PDI-P should no longer depend on a charismatic leader, though he acknowledged it would take the party until at least until 2009 to move out from under Megawati's shadow.

"The new structure we are proposing does not mean that we do not have any candidates who are capable of filling the shoes of the current leaders. We need a combination of charismatic and modern leaders to help strengthen the party ahead of the 2009 elections," he said.

He said such a step was necessary to remove people from around Megawati whom he likened to Dorna, the cunning teacher and adviser to Pandawa and Kurawa in the Mahabharata myth.

"If the structure is maintained as it is with Megawati holding power, those Durnas will take full advantage at the expense of the party," Didi said.

PDI-P secretary-general Sutjipto, deputy leader Gunawan Wirosarojo and deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung, known as the Gang of Three, are as seen by many in the party as wielding excessive power and influence over Megawati.

These three were blamed by some in the party for PDI-P's disappointing showing in the 2004 legislative election and Megawati's loss in the presidential election.

Megawati's brother, Guruh Soekarnoputra, said a presidium would help turn the PDI-P into a modern party.

"I agree with the proposed new structure. The PDI-P needs surgery to heal its chronic illness," Guruh, seen by some as a possible contender to Megawati for leadership of the party at its congress from March 28 through April 2 in Denpasar, Bali.

The proposal, however, may never be formally heard because the congress' organizing committee has banned the reform group, including Guruh and businessmen-cum-politician Arifin Panigoro, from the event.

Didi, Postdam Hutasoit and Sukowaluyo Mintoharjo have also been dropped from the congress' steering committee.

Megawati gave a cool response to the group's proposal, saying democracy allowed them to express their opinions.

"The question is whether the movement is in line with the party's statutes," Megawati said in Denpasar.

Megawati is a favorite to win her third consecutive five-year term at the party's helm, with the majority of the party's regency chapters nominating her as leader for the 2004-2009 term.

The head of the congress' organizing committee, Roy B.B. Janis, denied the organizers had banned Megawati critics from the event.

"They just have not received their invitations. I have not received my invitation either because we have not mailed them yet," Roy said.

Complaints about late invitations were not on the agenda of a preparatory meeting on Monday, Roy said. He added that congress participants could contact their respective regional offices to obtain invitations.