Soerjadi

Soerjadi

From Media Indonesia

Recently, a city newspaper published a news item saying that
two ministers -- the coordinating minister for political affairs
and security and the minister of home affairs -- had pitied
Soerjadi, the chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party, for
all the obstacles experienced by the latter during his tour in
the provinces in his effort to achieve consolidation within his
party.

Meanwhile, Soerjadi still has to face another serious matter:
The police will have to investigate him in connection with the
July 27 riots, which claimed five lives, left hundreds of people
injured and in which dozens of people disappeared (according to
the National Commission on Human Rights). Soerjadi is perceived
to be the person most responsible for the rioting.

I also pity him. Wherever he went -- Bali, Surabaya, East
Java, Wonogiri and Central Java -- he was welcomed by a
demonstration. However, the party's secretary-general denied that
such things had happened during his tour of the 27 provinces. All
this makes me wonder whether Soerjadi has the grassroots support
of his leadership. Secondly, why should the two ministers feel
pity on Soerjadi? Why should not the same sentiment be expressed
over Megawati, who was dethroned as the party's chairwoman by
Soerjadi's group, resulting in her having no headquarters and
branch offices in the provinces? After all, politics is said to
be a dirty game.

BUDI SANTOSO

Semarang, Central Java