Sowing discord

Sowing discord

The new breakthrough by Amien Rais and other Islamic parties
to form a reform faction and to propose Nahdlatul Ulama chairman
Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, as a presidential
candidate must be watched as an effort to sow discord in the PASO
group consisting of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the
National Mandate Party (PAN). This group will support -- in a
logical, democratic and just way -- Megawati as its presidential
candidate because the number of votes obtained by PDI Perjuangan
in the general election far exceeded the total of votes gained by
PKB and PAN.

It is most regrettable that Amien Rais did not consider the
matter thoroughly. He showed himself to be hard-hearted by
slighting PDI Perjuangan, which has never defaulted on its
promises and has never acted negatively toward PAN. If the
breakthrough were initiated by the United Development Party (PPP)
or other political parties outside the PASO group, it would
certainly be understandable, but PAN's links with the PASO group
makes the statement unethical.

Does Amien Rais not realize that the new breakthrough will sow
discord among the three big political parties, thus facilitating
Golkar and its cronies and enable them to remain in power?

Whatever the reason, Amien Rais should have stated his
position on whether he wanted to adhere to the PASO communique or
to withdraw from the group.

Fortunately that apart from Gus Dur himself who continues to
champion Megawati, PKB too through Mr. Matori's clear statement
consistently has proposed Megawati as its presidential candidate
because in the PASO group PDI Perjuangan has won the general
election.

I, and perhaps other supporters of PDI Perjuangan, PKB and PAN
too, since before the general election put great hopes on the
solidity of the unity of the three political parties because they
have a common platform of nationalism, making them capable of
preventing the return of Golkar and Habibie to rule over this
country. I urge that the three political party leaders
immediately sit at the same table to jointly prepare and carry
out steps leading to the toppling of the status quo government.

Amien Rais should exert some patience until the legalization
of the general election results by the General Elections
Commission (KPU) and the government, and should refrain from
making other breakthroughs which could tarnish his own and his
party's name and add to the people's confusion. Let the parties
with a significant number of votes take the initiative. Amien
Rais is well placed to successfully play a supporting role.

WISDARMANTO

Jakarta