Rift in PPP threatens unity, experts say

Rift in PPP threatens unity, experts say

JAKARTA (JP): Political commentators called on leaders of the United Development Party (PPP) on Saturday to control the damage incurred by growing dissension in the Moslem-based party.

Dr. Afan Gaffar from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta and Dr. Maswadi Rauf from University of Indonesia in Jakarta agree that unless chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum changes tack, an internal rift in the party will ruin its chance to "stand up against" ruling Golkar.

"This party is being ruined by members busy fighting each other for their own individual interests," Maswadi said. "Unless members of executive board stop forcing their views on subordinates and start solving problems, this party may be split further."

"I'm really worried. The party seniors are setting a bad example for the younger generation," Afan said.

The two political scientists were responding to reports that a conflict within the Jakarta branch of the PPP has been escalating. Two opposing leaders, each claiming to be chairman of the party, held separate halal bihalal (post-Idul Fitri gathering to ask everyone's forgiveness) in the same building on Friday.

Rusjdi Hamka, who is the executive board-backed chairman, and competitor Arifin Arbain both brought their own supporters who yelled at one another during the gathering traditionally intended for asking one another's forgiveness.

Rusjdi's gathering was also used to "transfer chairmanship" from outgoing chairman Djoefri Asmoredjo. It was attended by deputy chairman of executive board Hamzah Haz and vice secretary- general Bachtiar Hamzah.

"And the party wants to compete with Golkar?" Afan said.

The conflict started in January when the Jakarta chapter held its leadership meetings but failed to elect a new chairman by the deadline. Three out of five members of the electoral committee then elected Arbain chairman at an extra-ordinary meeting.

One of the naysayers, Djoefri Asmoredjo, claimed the chapter meeting a failure, its decisions void and reported to Ismail Hasan who later installed Rusjdi as chapter chairman.

Each camp has claimed to be the legal leaders, citing different parts of party statutes to back up their claim.

Although both commentators said they are concerned by the conflict and the possible ramifications on the performance of the party, they differed on what caused the conflict.

While Maswadi criticized Ismail Hasan's approach in dealing with the conflict, Afan believes it was started by people who oppose Ismail and seek to undermine his leadership.

"What reasons did Ismail's board have to refuse to recognize Arifin?" Maswadi asked. "The board should have been open and accept majority votes, in this case the votes of three committee members."

Maswadi also blamed the general political culture which places the political elites' wishes and whims above mass' interests. "Here everything that a superior wants, a superior gets," he said. "Central executive boards have their own preferences, governors have their own candidates for every kind of election. And they all want their own men to be the winners."

Afan believes that Arifin was steered by Ismail's political opponents, including senior PPP politician Hartono Mardjono, whose protege, legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas, is facing dismissal by Ismail from the House of Representatives.

"Arifin has the courage (to go against Ismail) because many people support him," Afan commented. "He and those people seek to weaken Ismail's position."

Afan suggested that Ismail "disregard" Arifin's chairmanship because it has no "legal foundation" and proceed with his plan to seek recognition for Rusjdi's chairmanship from the Jakarta governor and the government.

"Ismail should uphold the legality principle and immediately seek recognition from the Minister of Home Affairs, the Armed Forces' chief for social political affairs, and the governor," Afan asserted.

Afan, who has favored Ismail's leadership in the past, believes that the conflict within Jakarta chapter will not harm Ismail too much.

"Ismail's leadership is still solid, because he enjoys the support of the government and many elements within PPP," he concluded. (swe)