The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Sun, April 12 2015,
The executive board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for the next five years, announced by party leader and former president Megawati Soekarnoputri at the conclusion of the party’s national congress in Bali on Sunday, has drawn strong criticism from political analysts
Siti Zuhro of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said the disappearance of reformist figures such as Maruarar Sirait, Eva Sundari, Pramono Anung Wibowo and Rieke Diyah Pitaloka, from the party’s new executive board had erased the impression that the party was a base of democracy
The new executive board’s prospects would depend much on Megawati’s leadership, she said.
“Because Megawati has a wide influence in the party, she will be a central figure and the only one patron in the party. With such a reality, the party’s future, whether the PDI-P will gain additional supporters or will be left behind, will depend on Megawati’s leadership. The party will likely lose supporters when Megawati is considered to be unable to accommodate outspoken members who have contributed to building the party,” he said as quoted by Antara news agency.
Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, another senior LIPI analyst, questioned the inclusion of corruption-implicated members such as Rochmin Dahuri and Bambang D. H. in the executive board.
Rochmin was once sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a graft case at the Fisheries and Maritime Resources Ministry while Bambang was named a suspect for his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of collection service funds worth Rp 720 million (US$ 55,725) in November, 2013.
According to Ikar it was a mistake for Megawati to appoint Hasto Kristiyanto as secretary general because he was not qualified for the strategic post and his caliber was far below his predecessors Tjahjo Kumolo and Pramono Anung.
(Truth always prevails, ' Birds of a feather always flock together') siK.
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zo 12 apr 2015 - 22:36