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.