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)