Reform group proposes collective leadership of PDI-P

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.