Yogie inaugurates PDI congress

By M.M.I. Ahyani

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The opening day of a congress convened by breakaways of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) proceeded almost problem-free in the heavily-guarded Pangkalan Masyhur Haj Dormitory yesterday.

After the opening session and keynote addresses by Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, the congress moved to closed sessions, first to hear a report of accountability from the Central Executive Board, and later to hear to views of each of the branches present.

"Thankfully, everything proceeded smoothly," congress secretary Ismunandar said during a break following the afternoon sessions yesterday.

Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, ABRI's chief of Sociopolitical Affairs, said that the military's role in the congress was limited to ensuring the security of the participants. He denied suggestions that ABRI was involved in power intrigues.

Congress organizers said they hope to conclude the meeting on Saturday, two days earlier than originally anticipated.

Today, the participants will hear more views from branch representatives. The congress is expected to elect a new Central Executive Board lineup tomorrow.

The only incident to report yesterday was the beating of a reporter from the Jakarta-based newspaper Republika by a security guard.

Party officials Untung Sutomo, KH Kholil Murad and Romulus Sihombing later apologized to the reporter after other journalists threatened to boycott the congress altogether.

Fatimah Achmad -- a senior member of the Central Executive Board who is chairing the congress -- also made a point of meeting with journalists and to personally apologize for the incident.

Soerjadi

The smooth proceedings pave the way for the election of Soerjadi, who led the party from 1986-1993, to replace Megawati Soekarnoputri as party chief.

The majority of congress participants have said that they intend to nominate Soejardi for the post.

Untung Sutomo, a member of the congress organizing committee, said that on the eve of the congress, at least 109 branches have said they would support Soerjadi's election. More branches are expected to fall in line before Saturday's election.

Megawati, who has denounced the congress as violating the party's statues and bylaws, is not taking part in the meeting.

Congress organizers said that 283 of PDI's 306 branches from all 27 provinces are represented at the congress, which meant that they have fulfilled the necessary quorum.

"This congress is legal," Fatimah declared at the opening session.

Fatimah, formerly Megawati's deputy, formed a breakaway group with 15 other central board members to organize the congress. The members claimed they had a mandate from the party's regional branches. On Wednesday, Megawati fired the 16 board members.

Meanwhile, Soerjadi, who is taking part in the congress, denied accusations that he had positioned himself to be re- elected, stressing that the regional demands for his return fully reflected the wishes of the "undercurrents".

"Who am I and what power do I have to influence 283 branches to come here and then to elect me?" he asked reporters.

Asked about the way the party booted him out in 1993 because of impending criminal prosecution, he said: "That was really sad. But why feel sorry forever? That was forgotten and forgiven."

Soerjadi remained in the shadows after he lost the chairmanship in 1993, sitting as deputy speaker in the House of Representatives. The criminal prosecution was dropped after he lost the leadership contest.

While his ouster in 1993 was encouraged by the military, his return this time has the tacit blessing from the authorities.

Gen. Feisal said yesterday that the main thing is that the party determines its leadership by consensus. Meanwhile, Minister Yogie said the leadership question was something that the PDI congress has to determine independently.

Asked by reporters about the military's past opposition to Soerjadi, Feisal said: "That was then. That is over."

Soerjadi also declined to say if he would give Megawati a post in his central board should he get elected. "Let's not make any assumption at this stage," he said.

He said however that he believed that Megawati would bow out gracefully if the congress decided not to reelect her.

"She's a democrat. She would not reject the decision of the congress," he said.

Untung Sutomo meanwhile said that congress organizers had to raise Rp 1 billion ($440,000) to finance the gathering.

Some of the money was provided by the government. "It wouldn't be ethical for me to say how much the government has given," Untung said.

Feisal -- Page 2