Sophan cites inept legislators

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.