Toward a face-saving settlement?

Toward a face-saving settlement?

At long last the Supreme Court has made its ruling in the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) case, a decision far from
ending the dispute (between former party chairwoman Megawati
Soekarnoputri and the government-backed Soerjadi faction which
ousted her) since the decision only raised new controversies. The
Supreme Court ruled that Megawati could proceed with her lawsuit
against Soerjadi, but that she could not sue the government for
interfering in the party's internal affairs.

Politically, Megawati's right to lead the party was actually
established during last year's general election. After ousting
Megawati, the party under Soerjadi performed dismally during the
election. Still, his was the party faction the government has
chosen to recognize -- even until now.

In this climate of legal and political confusion, the Soerjadi
faction has decided to hold a party congress in Palu from Aug. 26
to Aug. 29. The cordial relationship that evidently exists
between Soerjadi and President B.J. Habibie may hurt the feelings
of some of Megawati's supporters. But the government's blessings
and the approval it has bestowed on Soerjadi shows that even in
this time of reform, recognition from the government is still
important.

The current administration should, however, not burden itself
with its predecessor's legacy. While an apology to Megawati may
not be imperative, the government could try to bring the two
sides together and get them to agree to restore Megawati's
leadership before approving a party congress. Alternately, the
Palu congress could resolve to do this, perhaps together with a
statement of apology for past mistakes.

If this could be done, acknowledging Megawati's leadership
should not be too embarrassing for either Soerjadi or the
government. Should this happen, the Megawati camp might find it
judicious to accept such a decision by the (Palu) congress with
grace so that the party could concentrate on consolidating its
ranks in preparation for the upcoming general election.

-- Surabaya Post