Yogie tells PDI to resolve its internal conflicts
Yogie tells PDI to resolve its internal conflicts
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moh. Yogie SM told the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) here yesterday to find an effective mechanism to resolve its internal crisis.
Speaking before the celebration of the party's 22nd anniversary at the Manahan Sports Hall, Yogie denied "external intervention" into PDI's internal problems.
"External intervention" is the current catchword for allegations that the authorities are meddling in the internal problems of organizations.
"The most important thing for the PDI now is to find a way to determine its own destiny, whether or not there is any external intervention," said the minister, who is considered responsible for the nation's political development.
He said he hoped that the crisis-hit party will be able to resolve its internal conflict before it tarnishes the nation's image in the eyes of the world.
Internal squabbles have plagued the PDI since its very beginnings in 1973.
Recently one of its board members set up a rival national leadership body to challenge chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who had dismissed him for backing an act of insubordination by PDI activists in East Java.
Gerry Mbatemoy, the former board member, and his followers in Indonesia's most populated province, have been at the center of the new crisis, which started after a local East Java chapter failed to elect a provincial board.
Latief Pudjosakti, one of the leading PDI activists in the province, set up his own self-styled local board. Megawati said his action was illegal, but Gerry swore in the board members despite the fact he did not have the party's authorization to do so.
Yogie clarified his position as the official responsible in political development in his speech. He said his position as "patron" is consultative in nature because he does not supervise the activities of political entities.
He said that the party's dependence on the government, which is mostly financial in nature, should be reduced.
"A political party which is not independent will not be able to produce good ideas."
Meanwhile Megawati, eldest daughter of the late president Sukarno, told 15,000 cheering supporters in her speech to be aware of "unconstitutional groups who want to paralyze the party". She did not elaborate.
"I'm sure no healthy thinking PDI activists want to see their party in disarray," she said.
The chairwoman also said the PDI would go on to fight against graft in the bureaucracy, collusion between corrupt officials and businessmen, as well as abuse of power. (har/tis)