Tension high at PDI-P congress

Tension high at PDI-P congress

Dwi Atmanta and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) begins on
Monday its six-day national congress, which will likely be
highlighted by efforts from the incumbent leader, Megawati
Soekarnoputri, to win reelection amid opposition from a reform-
minded group.

On the eve of the congress that will be officially opened by
Megawati on Monday afternoon, the rivalries have spilled over to
the streets of Denpasar, Bali, where supporters of the two camps
hoisted banners in support of their respective candidates.

A large picture of Megawati's strongest contender, Guruh
Soekarnoputra with a statement "Guruh fights for the common
people" sat uncomfortably next to a banner which read "Megawati
will keep the party from outside interference."

Countless banners bearing such statements were visible along
the way from Ngurah Rai International Airport to a luxury hotel
in Sanur, which will be the venue for the congress.

Thousands of supporters from opposing camps have also
descended on the resort island in a show of support for their
candidates, raising fears that violence could erupt.

To prevent possible clashes between them, the Bali Police
department has deployed more than 700 personnel to guard the
congress venues. To help them, the party congress organizers are
now in command of 600 civilian guards dressed in traditional
Balinese attire called Pecalang.

Although outdoing Megawati will be an uphill battle, her
brother Guruh said that he would press ahead with his candidacy,
claiming that he has won the support from a substantial number of
the 1,800 delegates taking part in the congress.

Megawati's side downplayed Guruh's claim, saying they, in
fact, had secured the backing from almost all of the party's
regency branches. "Of the 441 regency branches across the
country, there are hardly any that oppose Ibu Mega," PDI-P
secretary general Sutjipto claimed.

Guruh, who is in Sanur now, will not, however be allowed into
the congress as the party has restricted participation to
regional representatives, members of the party central board, the
leader and the secretary of the party's faction in the House of
Representatives. But his absence does not mean he cannot vie for
the party's top job, organizers said.

Sutjipto also added that there were no backroom deals
initiated by Megawati's camp to stave off resistance from her
opposition within the PDI-P. "Let the congress decide which
candidate wins," he said.

Sutjipto is one of the PDI-P central board members known as
the Gang of Three, which has been blamed for the party's defeats
in the 2004 legislative and presidential elections.

In a related development, other candidates for the party
leadership Sophan Sophiaan and Arifin Panigoro announced their
exit from the race to boost the chance of other nominees, Guruh,
Roy B.B. Janis and Laksamana Sukardi, whom they said would join
forces.

However, the possible political wrangling will likely be kept
out of the spotlight as most sessions in the congress will be
held behind closed doors, as was the case in the party's previous
congress in Semarang, Central Java, five years ago.

The publicity blackout may reinforce the public perception
that the former ruling party is indeed a closed party, while many
hoped that they could change and become a modern party
accountable to its members and constituents.

The Golkar Party, which has long been stigmatized as an heir
of the dictatorial New Order regime, has performed better in
terms of opening itself up to the media and the public. In its
congress that saw the departure of its leader Akbar Tandjung late
last year, Golkar allowed the widest possible coverage from the
media. That enabled the public to witness each and every
development that led to the election of Vice President Jusuf
Kalla as the party's new head man.

The PDI-P has also decided not to invite government officials,
except for those who will come in their capacity as party
members. Organizers only sent invitations to a small number of
politicians, including Akbar and founder of the National
Awakening Party (PKB) Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

The PDI-P's last congress in Semarang, held while Megawati was
the vice president, entrusted her to guide the party to victory
in the 2004 legislative and presidential elections, two
objectives that she failed to achieve.