The PDI furor
The PDI furor
Over the last few weeks, there have been rumors that a "final
solution" to remove two prominent figures from Indonesia's
political scene has been drawn up. The targets are Megawati
Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party
(PDI), and Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of the populist Moslem
organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). The two are reportedly
considered potential threats in the upcoming People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) session scheduled to convene in March
1998. One of the items on the agenda is electing a new president.
Megawati is perceived as a threat because some people have
already suggested she should run for president, against President
Soeharto, should the latter choose to run for yet another term in
office. Therefore, according to these rumors, she has to be
expelled before the end of July, the deadline for the political
parties to hand in their list of candidates for the 1998-2003
House of Representatives (DPR).
Considering her growing popularity among the PDI grassroots
and the repeated failure of previous efforts by rival PDI
activists to topple her, it was reportedly decided that she would
have to be toppled in a "constitutional" manner, in line with the
party's constitutional procedures. This would have to be
supported by a majority of the party's members, comprised mostly
of the anti-Megawati faction within the PDI.
Meanwhile Abdurrahman Wahid, being an outspoken man, is
perceived as a possible troublemaker in the coming MPR session.
His persistent criticism of the government and his ostensibly
"apolitical" stance are considered dangerous. The deadline for
Abdurrahman Wahid's downfall has reportedly been set for October,
before the NU celebrates its 73th anniversary.
What happened in the last few days -- a delegation claiming to
represent a majority of the PDI's regional chapters went to the
Ministry of Home Affairs to request a permit for a rival congress
to change the leadership -- sounds exactly like such a shady
stratagem. And the prompt endorsement of the planned congress by
the government does rather make one wonder whether the rumors
might be true after all.
But who can really distinguish between rumor and fact? The
government and the military have repeatedly denied any
involvement in the meddling in the PDI's problems.
And we cannot doubt their sincerity.
Megawati herself said that those trying to topple her are an
"internal group within the PDI" which is in cahoots with an
"external power". Who this "external power" might be remains a
mystery. But judging from the speed with which the anti-Megawati
group has taken over the PDI executive board, it is likely that
they have indeed received some sort of tacit support from the
authorities.
The question as to who masterminded this coup aside -- the
fact remains that Megawati's chairmanship is in deep trouble. She
has to face a very formidable foe. Yet it is clear also that she
has a lot of loyal supporters. That a growing number of
supporters are willing to sign their names in blood to protect
her leadership is not only an unprecedented development, it is
also indicative of a hardened stance against the plotters.
What has happened in the PDI is deplorable. The use of such a
contemptuous method to topple a constitutionally elected party
leader is not merely a localized political setback for Megawati
but also a tragedy for our embryonic democracy. Remember that the
times have changed. Our political landscape has changed. We have
a more open society and our citizens are becoming increasingly
politically aware. Anybody with an education will be able to see
what is really behind this lamentable affair.
It is conceivable that this whole sorry scheme might backfire.
But we fear that unpleasant things could happen if the situation
gets worse. This could disrupt our nation's stability. To
sacrifice such a precious thing for what seem like personal
reasons is plain unacceptable.