Sophan cites inept legislators

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Disappointment over the performance of fellow legislators and the political situation appears to be the main reason for the resignation of Sophan Sophiaan, a legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

However, Sophan, who looked more relaxed during an interview on Monday, refused to publicly reveal the reasons behind his resignation from both the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"I will give my explanations at the party's meeting on Tuesday. I will give sincere, transparent explanations, no matter how bitter it will be," he told the press in his empty room in the House building.

Sophan, considered to be one of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's close associates, submitted his resignation letters to the DPR and MPR on Friday. On Saturday, he and his wife, actress Widyawati, brought his belongings home.

During the interview on Monday, Sophan simply said that his decision to quit the PDI Perjuangan faction was due to his inability to adapt to the current political conditions.

"The politicians have been engaged in manipulation. They pretend to give voice to the people's aspiration, but in fact they are fighting for their own interests. I can't stand this anymore," he explained.

Sophan said his inability to adapt to the current political conditions had exacerbated his health problems.

"My doctor says if this continues, I could suffer a stroke," he said.

Sophan submitted a letter months ago seeking approval from the PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati to resign from his position as the chairman of the PDI Perjuangan faction in the MPR. Megawati, however, failed to accede to his request.

On Thursday, he sent letters to the PDI Perjuangan executive board, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, and MPR Speaker Amien Rais, stating his resignation from the House and the Assembly.

Speculation has it that his resignation was prompted by a major rift in the PDI Perjuangan, the country's largest party.

Senior party member Sabam Sirait confirmed that there were strong differences of opinion among the old and the new members of the ruling party.

"Well, there are different opinions between senior figures and newcomers in the party, but I think we've been successful in lessening the differences," Sabam told The Jakarta Post here.

Asked if the dominant role of Taufik Kiemas, husband of party chairwoman Megawati, in the party had played a significant role in the rift, Sabam simply said that Megawati would not let herself be easily dictated to.

"No, I think Taufik always follows the party's policies, and Ibu Megawati is not the kind of person who can easily be dictated to," Sabam added.

Sophan himself disagreed with the issue of a dichotomy between the party's old and new members.

Sophan said that the situation resulted from misperceptions about certain ideas of Megawati.

According to Sophan, several ideas raised by Megawati were not properly understood by the majority of party leaders. He said that Megawati's ideas could be understood if people knew the nuances.

Sophan, who is a close aide of Megawati, disclosed that he had to specifically explain Megawati's wishes in order to avoid misperceptions. "Sometimes, we are like kids who need everything clearly spelled out for us," he said.