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PDI-P may have leverage in Democratic Party’s internal conflict
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Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono gives a motivational speech to Democratic Party cadres in West Kalimantan in 2019. (Antara/Jessica Helena Wuysang)
T
he Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), a member of the ruling coalition, might have some leverage to determine the endgame of the power struggle within the Democratic Party.
This is mainly because one of its senior politicians, Yasonna Laoly, sits in the Cabinet as the law and human rights minister and therefore has the power to authorize the leadership of registered political parties.
The two opposing camps within the Democratic Party have submitted documents for Yasonna to examine before deciding which camp has the right to claim leadership. The one led by Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, who was elected chairman at the March 2020 party congress, is seeking government reaffirmation of his current leadership. The other camp, meanwhile, is urging formal recognition of the change in leadership resulting from the recent congress in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, that appointed Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko as chairman.
Yasonna has said that he would resolve the dispute “professionally” and examine thoroughly all the documents before making any decisions.
“If it [Deli Serdang leadership is found to have been formed] not in accordance with the laws or party statute and its rules of association, we will decide [to reject it],” he told a meeting with members of House of Representatives Commission III, which oversees legal affairs, on Wednesday.
“But what if it is in line with [these]? How should I decide?”
Yasonna made the remarks in response to a statement by Democratic Party lawmaker and executive Benny K. Harman, who said that many politicians in Agus’ camp wanted the minister to act based on laws in resolving the power struggle within the party.
