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Issues of the day: PDI-P to show 'who's boss'
Megawati Soekarnoputri - JP/P
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Megawati Soekarnoputri - JP/P.J. Leo
April 8, p1
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) plans use its national congress in Bali this weekend to make a grand statement that it is the ruling party and will not be subservient to the whims of President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo.
Besides reelecting incumbent chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri as leader of the party for the next five years, the congress is set to officially announce the PDI-P's stance on several current and crucial issues.
Your comments:
All the ingredients of a hardcore third world country are here: a leader who continues to be reelected; more focus on a party staying in power rather than on the country's well-being and improvement; non-democratic means in the name of democracy (Megawati's reelection and mandate to choose party officials); great rhetoric rather than useful action.
Wandering Star
This is going to be an interesting congress. I'm pretty sure the more sane party members will want
the country's President to lead the party.
Regulars
As I predicted, the power-hungry elites can't stop themselves.
They will drive Indonesia to destruction in the name of their egos and will be shocked by the eventual response; though even I am stunned at just how blatant Megawati is being. Well, I say go for it! Make it blatant! The public is already angry, investors are already pulling out, prices are going up, there are already (unreported) protests.
Go make it clear you hate democracy and want to restore the New Order. I'll watch what happens over the next few months.
Atom
I think the meeting this weekend will be useful if the party will recall and refine its roadmap, blueprint, or lofty political platforms that have made the PDI-P a winning party. Megawati will contribute something of substance if the party's ideologies are reaffirmed and strengthened ' instead of trying to rein in Jokowi and bend him, which will be self-destructive.
The Bali meeting should not focus on how to control Jokowi, but on how to pave the way for a better Indonesia, with Jokowi in charge: In other words, how to achieve the party's great ideological vision with with Jokowi as the 'CEO'.
I would like to see the party bless, support and empower Jokowi so he can lift the prestige, the vision, the appeals and the goals of the PDI-P. The Bali meeting is a great opportunity to strengthen the party in power.
There is greater potential for good if there are united purposes between Megawati and Jokowi. This is the challenge for Megawati this weekend.
James Waworoendeng
What a big letdown! The PDI-P is actually disgracing itself if it continues to meddle in presidential affairs. Let's pray Megawati will come to her senses.
Putra Borobudur
