Soetardjo opposes PDI-P dismissals

JAKARTA: Senior Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI- P) figure Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno warned the party's new leadership against dismissing lawmakers due to their attempt to force reform within the party.

Soetardjo, who is also a House of Representatives deputy speaker, said after receiving leaders of the PDI-P reform group that the removal of dissenting members from the legislative body would only cause the party to lose more popular support.

"The tough policy has so far proven counterproductive. Our House seats dropped from 153 to 109 after the party leadership fired dissenting members prior to the elections last year. If more members face dismissal due to their disagreement with party leaders, how many more seats we will lose?" Soetardjo said.

Representing the reform group during the meeting were its leader Roy BB Janis and Noviantika Nasution. Senior PDI-P figures Abdul Madjid, Amin Arjoso and Subagyo Anam were also present. -- Antara