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PDI-P starts damage control over Risma
Tri Rismaharini: (Antara)The central board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has dispatched senior members of the party to Surabaya, East Java, to deal with the behind the scenes power struggle pitting city Mayor Tri Rismaharini against members of the partyâs local branch
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Tri Rismaharini: (Antara) (Antara)
Tri Rismaharini: (Antara)
The central board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has dispatched senior members of the party to Surabaya, East Java, to deal with the behind the scenes power struggle pitting city Mayor Tri Rismaharini against members of the party's local branch.
Top PDI-P figures in Jakarta were concerned that the repercussions from what they deemed 'normal political dynamics' in Surabaya, could deal a severe blow to the party's chances in the April 9 legislative election.
The plot to unseat Risma from her mayoral post gained momentum recently with the PDI-P faction in the Surabaya City Council receiving support from other factions.
The factions have plotted Risma's downfall following her refusal to give the go-ahead for an inner city toll road project and her decision to raise the outdoor advertisement rate, which irked the local business community.
PDI-P deputy secretary-general Ahmad Basarah said the party's central board in Jakarta had appointed several executives, including himself and secretary-general Tjahjo Kumolo, to fly to Surabaya to meet Risma, advise her and address the ongoing internal conflict within the party's mayoral branch.
The PDI-P central board also maintained that the decision regarding Risma rested with party executives in Jakarta.
'We have been firm that the final decision on whether or not to keep Bu Risma in her post fully depends on the party's central executive board, which fully supports her,' Basarah said.
'We've asked Bu Risma to keep strong amid the ongoing situation,' he said.
In recent weeks, Risma has also been entangled in a squabble with Deputy Mayor Wisnu Sakti Buana, who is the leader of the PDI-P Surabaya chapter, after she questioned the legitimacy of Wisnu's appointment.
The PDI-P Surabaya chapter nominated Wisnu as Risma's deputy without her consent, a move many saw as an attempt to undermine the mayor's authority in running Surabaya.
Local media reports said Risma had complained that she found it 'difficult to cooperate with Wisnu'.
Contacted separately, Tjahjo said the dispute between Risma and the local chapter of the PDI-P could have been engineered by rival political parties.
'We have been made aware of a strategy to undermine the PDI-P ahead of the election by targeting our prominent members. It is aimed at dividing the party, using intelligence officials who can stir a conflict and make it worse,' Tjahjo said.
Basarah also insinuated that the row between Risma and Wisnu was designed by outsiders as an attempt to divide the PDI-P.
'We have found a pattern of attempts by certain political parties to stir up conflict within the PDI-P with the aim of stealing our members, but we strongly believe that our members nationwide, particularly those who have positions in the government, will remain consistent and loyal,' Basarah said.
Considered one of the country's best mayors for her antigraft stance and no-nonsense leadership style, Risma made headlines recently for threatening to resign if she continued to be harassed by members of her own political party.
When asked to comment on the PDI-P central board's plan to assist her, Risma responded: 'I am no longer allowed to comment on that.'
