Trouble brewing in PDI's chapter in Jakarta too
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri faced another potentially explosive situation as the party's chapter in Jakarta opened its congress last night.
The Jakarta chapter's incumbent chairperson MAS Alex Asmasoebrata, who is also a Megawati protege, appears to have lost grassroots support as not a single branch has come out in support of his reelection on the eve of the congress.
Alex, himself a controversial figure in PDI, was not deterred and insisted on running for a third five-year term in office even though his chances of winning were minimal.
"Not only am I ready to be nominated, but I will also serve in any lesser capacity for the sake of the party," he said.
He acknowledged that the party had been somewhat "pompous" in the past but promised that he would make amends if he gets reelected.
Last night he also pleaded with fellow PDI leaders to forge unity in the chapter saying that this is the only way for the party to grow.
The congress of the PDI Jakarta was opened last night by Megawati, who in her keynote address reminded the delegates that the Jakarta chapter hold a strategic position in the party's strength.
Also present at the opening ceremony was Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirja and M.H. Ritonga, the chairman of the Jakarta City Council.
The congress is scheduled to wind up today with the election of the new chairman and other appointment of the chapter's executive board.
Dissension
Megawati was elected to the party's leadership by a popular vote at PDI's congress last December. She has been facing dissension in a number of regions, including Aceh, North Sumatra, West Java and East Java. In some of these regions, the party is split with the formation of rival boards, one pro-Megawati and the other opposed to her.
The rebel party members also objected to what they said was her interference in the party's regional affairs.
Alex, a wealthy businessman and a racecar driver, played a prominent role in Megawati's election last December. He is also believed to have close relations with the government which, given the reputation of the party, could either be a major asset or a liability for a PDI leader.
Alex, however, has been widely blamed for letting PDI slip in Jakarta during the last election. PDI's seats in the City Council dropped from 14 out of 60 seats in 1987 to a mere 13 of the expanded 75-strong council.
Alex last year was acquitted by a Jakarta court of accusation that he ordered the beating rebel PDI supporters in 1992. An indictment would have costed him his political career for good.
His contenders are Hamad Ginting of the North Jakarta branch, Subur Budiman and Marwan Adam, both members of the House of Representatives (DPR), Hendro S. Soebroto and Lukman F. Mokoginta, both of the Central Jakarta branch.
Lukman, who chairs the Jakarta branch, appears to be the main contender and is claiming that he has the support of all the five branches in Jakarta.
Lukman tossed his cap into the ring yesterday just hours before the congress began by calling a luncheon conference with journalists. "If I'm elected, I will make PDI an even better choice for youths, students and the poor," he said.
Lukman, 45, is also a businessman and boss of the Young Democrats, a youth organization affiliated with the PDI. (par/pan)