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.