PDI-P should prove internal regeneration, analysts say

Political analysts said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) should prove its claim that regeneration is taking place within the party, despite the status quo of Megawati Soekarnoputri's leadership during three consecutive periods.

Ikrar Nusa Bakti from the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) said that regeneration was the biggest challenge facing the PDI-P should the party wished to gain support from younger voters, since the public would see no improvement in the party if it was still led by the same old figure.  

"How would PDI-P convince people that regeneration is taking place within the party when in fact Megawati is still the party's chairwoman," he said in a discussion held during the congress.

He said the condition was in contrast with that of the Democratic Party, who nominated young figures Andi Malarangeng and Anas Urbaningrum to be the party's chairman.  

"The Democratic Party could use this [issue of regeneration] as negative propaganda in the political campaign."
 
Megawati has been unanimously reelected as the party's chairwoman for the 2010-2015 tenure during the ongoing third national congress.  

Megawati is considered as a figure able to maintain solidity among the party's elements.

Yudi Latief from the Reform Institute said that the party should allow young figures to take the lead and not  depend on Megawati as its central figure.

"The party should give greater chance to younger and progressive party members to be its vanguard, or at least to build more political communication with the public," Yudi said.

He added that the participation of the younger generation of Sukarno's dynasty in the party should be based on meritocracy, instead of being pushed to take up strategic posts in the party.

However, he praised the party's consistency to remain in the opposition despite being offered a choice to build an alliance with the ruling party.

The party leaders have reiterated that it has paved the way for young and progressive people to lead either at the regional or central level, as well as seeking some potential members to contest the 2014 presidential election.

Megawati said in the congress opening speech that younger members have proven their performance in parliament and in the party's regional branches, although admitting that the regeneration process had yet to be well-organized.

"The young members are ready not only to lead the party, but also to be the nation's future leaders," she said.