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Today, we the Democratic Socialist Faction, a faction inside the People's
Democratic Party, declare to split from the People's Democratic Party (PRD).
We do hope that this split will give a new way for strengthening revolutionary
movement in Indonesia, considering the fact that the internal conflict in the
PRD has lead to fundamental difference and accordingly irreconcilable. This
internal conflict has occurred after the fall of Suharto and is still happening
now. We the Democratic Socialist Faction consider that the upheaval of this
internal conflict is essentially because of the absence of internal democracy.
Democratic centralism as organizational basic principle for providing tool in
order to settle all the political disagreement within the party through
ideological debate has been misused and misinterpreted. Scientific and in-depth
debate and democracy has been subordinated to bureaucracy, authority, procedure
and discipline. Centralism and bureaucratism has been made a main principle.
Blind obedience has been used as model for party members and replaced criticism.
Different view and opinion has been considered in disciplinary and accordingly
has to be eliminated and expelled in an undemocratic way.
This absolutely does not mean that we have not waged internal struggle for
change. We have done this through factional struggle. However, again our
struggle was blockaded by bureaucratism and ant criticism. At last we come to
the conclusion that the differences are very principle and fundamental, namely
Democracy against Bureaucratism.
We have also significant differences regarding the strategy and tactics taken
by the party in responding objective situation, particularly with the
installation of the bourgeois Wahid government, increase of resistance in Aceh
and West Papua, party building perspective, party paper, woman liberation and
the perspective of building international struggles.
As we consider that the differences cannot be put in one organ, we finally
find out that split is inevitable, and is most democratic and healthy way. We
never see split as something to regret or cry for. We even see it as the way for
securing and developing the revolutionary movement. So that we will not be
burdened by undemocratic internal struggles instead can concentrate in waging
each struggles based on each strategy and tactics.
For the split, we declare the following differences with majority of the PRD
leadership:
- a. The decision making process in PRD has turn into a bureaucratic manner
which put the mechanism and authority of leadership as the priority. The
mechanism has become something principal rather than guide to effective
action and implementation of a decision.
- b. Democratic centralism has converted into unhealthy and bureaucratic
centralism. All the political disagreement mainly be revolved by absolute
authority of the central leadership which in turn imposed through the rules
of subordination of the minority to majority, as well as how to directing
work form the PRD leadership with blind loyalty.
- c. The party building perspective has been neglected. In the Extraordinary
Congress in October 1999, the PRD has put party building strategy as the
priority. In reality, the PRD has taken position in spending the whole party
energy and resources in confronting and attacking the remnants of New Order
forces and the false reformists. This practices has disrupt the party for
expansion and recruiting new members. We the Democratic Socialist Faction do
not oppose the tactic of attacking them. The most principle however is how
this tactic does not neglect or ignore the party building project.
- d. The PRD position toward Gus Dur administration is far from the party's
vision. In the national political situation analysis, the PRD says that Gus
Dur administration has fought for democracy and Gus Dur administration is
one element that consistently fights against the remnants of New Order
Regime. The PRD does not also include Gus Dur as the false reformist. Base
on this reason, the PRD decides to only attacking the remnants of the New
Order rather than the Gus Dur administration. We consider that Gus Dur has
even given space and opportunity for the revival of the remnants of the New
Order by not putting Suharto and his cronies to trial, make collaboration
with faction in the military, make coalition with the Golkar, submission to
the IMF and the WB, and the Gus Dur administration even has bred the KKN.
- e. The party's newspaper, the Pembebasan (Liberation) is not made
priority, as the center of party's activity. The party newspaper is even
subordinated to one subordination of the party works. Majority of the
leadership has not any seriousness in selling paper as the priority and
organizing activity..
- f. The PRD has put the labor movement in the non-priority area. Instead,
PRD has put the urban poor as the major forces for the mobilization in
confronting the enemies. We consider that in such situation, worker
organizing must be a priority for attacking the neo liberal regime, in which
the workers are oppressed, as well as for changing the composition of the
party membership which so far dominated by students and urban poor, in order
to build revolutionary tradition of workers in the party.
- g. The PRD has deeply fall into sectarianism through their political
practice. The PRD doesn't consider another left groups as the significant
forces in the struggle for socialism.
- h. There's no clear theoretical clarity in the PRD, so it creates
confusion in responding the new political landscape in Indonesia.
- i. The PRD is chauvinist in responding the resistances in Aceh and West
Papua. For the PRD, the resistance from Papuans and Acehnese is just the
local upheaval, it doesn't relate to national question.
- j. Opportunism in the international solidarity movement, in which the
international solidarity for the PRD means that 'what you can do for us in
building our movement.'
- k. The struggle of women liberation has been put into non priority area,
PRD make an apology that women liberation struggle has been integrated into
the struggle for democracyAs the way it is, split from the PRD for us means
that we are going to build the new political organization as vehicle for our
struggle. For this, we have established an organization called Democratic
Socialist Association - Perhimpunan Demokratik Sosialis ( PDS ).
We reaffirm the following principles as the principles of PDS :
1. The principle of scientific socialism as the theoretical foundations
2. The principle of democratic centralism, which is opposed to bureaucratism
and anarchy in the organization
3. The principle of open socialist organization
4. The principle of revolutionary and progressive character of the struggle
for socialism
5. The principle of internationalism and solidarity of working class
6. The principle of feminismThe Democratic Socialist Association is an
association open to whosoever committed to struggle for scientific and
democratic socialism.We call on all revolutionary forces in Indonesia to join
the march of the struggle for the liberation of the oppressed peopleWe call on
all revolutionary forces worldwide to welcome us and to make collaboration in
the spirit of internationalism
Finally, we call on the people of Indonesia to line up and unite in the
struggle against neo authoritarianism. Jakarta, November 14th 2000, Signed by:
1. Coen Husain Pontoh ; Former Member of SMID Manado (1994-1995), Head of
the Dept. of Education and Propaganda of the National Peasant Union - STN
(1995-1996), Former Head Komite Sukses Pemilu Central - KSPP (1999), Member
of the Dept. of Education of the KPP PRD (1999-2000). Has been imprisoned in
Surabaya (1996-1999)
2. Dhyta Caturani ; Former Member of SMID Yogyakarta (1995-1997), Staf of
the Dept. of International Relation (1999), Victim of Shooting in July 1, 1999
incident in KPU, Former Member of the Dept. of People's Struggle and the
International Collective of the KPP PRD (1999-2000)
3. Hendri Kuok ; Former Member of SMID Yogyakarta (1994-1996), Former Head
of the Dept. of International Relation of SMID (1996-1997), Former
representative of the PRD in Australia (1996-1998), Former Head of the
Preparatory Committee for Legalization of the PRD - KEPAL PRD (1998), Former
Head of the Dept. of International Relation of the PRD (1998-1999), Former
representative of the PRD in the National Election Commission - KPU (1999),
Former Member of the Dept. of Education and International Collective of the
KPP PRD (1999-2000).
4. Ida Nashim Muhammad ; Former student organizer in Manado (1982-1994),
Former SMID Board in Manado (1994-1997), Former Urban Poor organizer in
Jabotabek (1997-1998), Former Secretary of the KPP PRD (1998-1999), and the
Former Member of the Dept. of People's Struggle of the KPP PRD (1999-2000).
5. Lucia Fransisca ; Former Member of SMID Jabotabek (1995-1996), Former
Board member of the National Peasant Union (1996), Former organizer of Urban
Poor in Jabotabek (1997-1998), Former Member of the Dept. of People's
Struggle of the KPP PRD (1999-2000). Also Former Member of KPK PRD Bogor
(2000)
6. Muhammad Ma'ruf ; Former Member of SMID Yogyakarta (1994-1995), Former
Editor of Suara Massa of SMID (1995-1996), Former Chief Editor of Pembebasan
(1996-2000) and the Member of the Dept. of Literature of the KPP PRD
(1999-2000).
7. Mugiyanto ; Former Member of SMID Yogyakarta (1994-1996), Worker
Organizer in Tandes Surabaya (1996), Former representative of the PRD in
Europe (1998-1999), Member of the Dept. of Education and International
Collective of the KPP PRD (1999-2000), Victim of Involuntary Disappearance
perpetrated by the Kopassus (March 1998) and jailed for 3 months in Jakarta
(March-June 1998).
8. Agung Nugroho ; Former Head of SMID ISIIP-chapter Jabotabek (1995-1996),
Former organizer of Urban Poor in Jabotabek (1997-1998), Former Secretary of
KPW PRD Jabotabek (1998-1999), Former Member of the Dept. of People's
Struggle KPP PRD (1999-2000)
9. Angel Intan S : Former Member of the KPW Jabotabel student sector
(1999-2000)
10. Ashep Nurdin ; Former Member of KPW Jabotabek student sector
(1999-2000)
11. Bagus Armanusa ; Former Member of KPW Jabotabek student sector
(1999-2000)
12. Yogi : Former Member of SMID Palu (1996), Former Organizer of Urban
Poor Jabotabek (1997), Former Secretary of KPW Jabotabek (1999-2000)
13. Ety Sunarty : Former Organizer of Workers and Students (1996-1998),
Former Head of KPW PRD Jabotabek (1998-1999).
14. Harianto (Gepeng) : Former Member of PRD student sector (1999-2000)
15. Ito ; Former Member of KPW Jabotabek student sector (1999-2000)
16. Jimmy : Former Member of PPD II Kodya Tanggerang (1999), Former Member
of KPW Jabotabek (1999-2000)
17. J.P. Indra ; Former Secretary of SMID ISIIP-chapter Jabotabek
(1996-1997), Former Head of Dept. of Education and Information of the National
Committee of Struggle for Democracy (KNPD) (1997-1998), Former Member of KPW
Jabotabek student sector,
18. Kurniatun : Former Member of PRD and the worker organizer in North
Jakarta (1998-2000)
19. Muhamad Husni ; Former Head of the KPK Central Jakarta
20. Muhlis : Former Member of PRD, student sector (1999-2000)
21. Parjono : Former Coordinator of the Dept. of People's Struggle of KPK
PRD West Jakarta (1999-2000)
22. Radi Apriyanto (Popon) ; Former Secretary of KPK East Jakarta
(1999-2000)
23. Roni Rosa ; Former Staff of the KSPP (1999), Former BADKO II of KPW
Jabotabek (1999-2000)
24. Syah Dinihari ; Former Head of SMID in UID (1996), Coordinator of
Students PRD Jabotabek (1997-1998), Member of the Organization Dept. KPK PRD
East Jakarta (1999), DEM KSPK PRD East Jakarta (1999), Former Secretary of KPK
East Jakarta (1999), Former BADKO I of KPW Jabotabek (1999-2000)
Notes:
1. SMID : Student in Solidarity for Democracy in Indonesia, affiliated to
the PRD
2. KPP PRD : Central Leadership Committee of the PRD
3. KPW : Regional Leadership Committee of the PRD
4. KPK : Municipal Leadership Committee of the PRD
5. STN : National Peasant Union
6. BADKO : Coordinating Body, PRD structure in regional level covering some
municipalities.
7. KSPP : National Committee for the Success of the PRD in the Election
8. KSPK : Municipal Committee for the Success of the PRD in the Election
Municipal level
9. DEM : Electoral Machine department, department in the KSPP
10. Jabotabek : The regional showing the extended city in Jakarta including
Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi
Clarification by the PRD on the reported 'split'
[The following statement was issued by the Central Leadership Committee of
the People's Democratic Party (KPP-PRD) following the November 14 announcement
by six former party leaders that they had formed the Democratic Socialist
Association (Perhimpunan Demokratik Sosalis, PDS).
The six were expelled from the PRD following a National Presidium meeting
held in Jakarta, November 11-14.]
Viva Democracy!
In relation to the formation of the PDS on November 14, which was established
by a number of former members of the Central Leadership Committee of the PRD (KPP-PRD),
the [current] KPP-PRD has issued the following statement to clarify the matter:
1. Reports by a number of newspapers that there has been a 'split' within
the PRD is incorrect. What occurred was the dismissal of a number of members of
the KPP-PRD. This dismissal was a result of a decision by the Sixth National
Presidium of the PRD (leadership meeting) which was organised on November 11-14
in Jakarta. The National Presidium is made up of the national and regional
leadership bodies of the PRD. The following members were dismissed:
1. Ir. Coen Husuein Pontoh (KPP-PRD Education Department)
2. Hendrianto Kuok, SH (KPP-PRD Training Department and International
Relations Collective)
3. Mugiyanto (KPP-PRD Training Department and International Relations
Collective)
4. Ida Nasim Mh (KPP-PRD People's Struggle Department)
5. Dyta Caturani (KPP-PRD People's Struggle Department and International
Relations Collective and International Relations Collective)
6. Muhamad Ma'ruf (KPP-PRD Literary Department)
The KPP-PRD members who were dismissed were given the right to defend
themselves at the Presidium, however, as of 10am, November 14, not one of them
had arrived [to do so]. Then on the same day, at 2pm, they [publicly] announced
the formation of the PDS [at a press conference at the Indonesian Family
Planning Association offices in Jakarta].
Before they were dismissed, they were given a verbal reprimand, a written
reprimand and even suspended from the KPP-PRD so that they could return to
carrying out their obligations as members of the KPP-PRD. But all of these
procedures which were tried failed. As a result, in the end the KPP-PRD
recommended to the Presidium members that they dismiss those KPP-PRD members who
had been negligent in carrying out their obligations. [After consideration] the
members of the Presidium agreed [with the recomendation] to dismiss them.They
were dismissed based on decision Number PN-PRD/VI-00/008-014. The dismissal was
carried out because they had failed to carry out the tasks as mandated by the
PRD's Second Special Congress (KLB II PRD) which held in October 1999. They
[therefore] violated Paragraph 20, Article 2 of the PRD's Constitution which
states: 'All members must carry out the assignments and responsibilities given
to them by the People's Democratic Party (PRD)'.
2. The PRD's attitude towards the government of Gus Dur [President
Aburrahman Wahid] is clear: we have never compromised with the policies of Gus
Dur's government which will clearly further harm [ordinary Indonesian] people
(which can be seen in each and every statement and leaflet which we have
produced during the government of Gus Dur). Since February, there have been
scores of actions which we have organised at the national and regional levels;
there have been scores of statements which we have released, hundreds of
thousands of leaflets criticising the government of Gus Dur'politically,
economically and legally. We have endlessly criticised Gus Dur for enacting
neo-liberal economic policies, for failing to try [former President] Suharto,
for failing to try the perpetrators of human rights violations and for not
solving cases of corruption. Therefore this is an argument which it is incorrect
and has been fabricated by founders of the PDS [in order to claim] that the PDS
was formed because the PRD is not critical or was not clear [in its attitude]
towards the government of Gus Dur.
The PRD's current program is [in accordance with] the mandate of the KLB II
PRD. This program was also agreed to by the PDS members who also attended the
congress - which is the highest [decision making] body of the party.
The PRD's program at the moment is to abolish the remnants of the New Order
regime - the [former ruling state party] Golkar, militarism and the corrupt
bureaucracy - and abandon the fake reformers.
3. The second reason given for the formation of the PDS is that the PRD has
become bureaucratic and centralised and restricted their wishes. This is not
true. Mechanisms within the PRD hold democracy in the highest esteem. The
decision of the central leadership of the PRD was based on input from the party's
leaders at the village, ward, city and regional levels. Each month a National
Presidium is held which involves PRD leaders at the regional level.
Before the National Presidium the regional leaders of the PRD must hold a
regional meeting which involves PRD leaders from the city level. Before this
regional meeting, the PRD leadership at the city level must hold a meeting which
involves PRD leaders at the ward level. So at the National Leadership Meeting of
the PRD which followed brought with it input and reports by PRD members from the
lowest levels. This is the mechanism:
1. The democratic forums, in discussing [the party's] program and strategy
consider responses, criticisms, suggestions and so on at a number of
organisational levels: The Congress, The National Council, The National Presidium, Regional conferences, City level conferences, Ward
level conferences, Village level conferences
Meeting procedures:
National Working Meeting (Article 21, Paragraph 5 of the PRD's
Constitution)
National Leadership Meetings (Article 22, Paragraph 5)
Regional Leadership Meetings (Article 23, Paragraph 5)
City [level] Leadership Meetings (Article 24, Paragraph 5)
Ward [level] Leadership Meetings (Article 25, Paragraph 5)
Village [level] Leadership Meetings (Article 26, Paragraph 5)
Work place meetings (Article 27, Paragraph 5)
2. These forums also took the decision that the Presidium Meeting would start
at the national, regional down to the city level where it is attended by the
chairperson and secretary (regional or city).
4. For six months or more the [former members of the] KPP-PRD which
established the PDS were not active. So their argument for establishing the PDS - that
the PRD is not critical of the Gus Dur government and the development of
bureaucracy and centralism within the party - is clearly spurious. During this
period they were never involved in discussions held by KPP-PRD - plenary
meetings, PRD National Executive meetings or departmental meetings - so they
[were not present to take part in these meetings or use them] to make criticisms
of the party. In practice they did not carry out their assignments as members of
the KPP-PRD. And because of this inactivity they were clearly unable to be
informed of the dynamics within the party itself.
5. In the present democratic atmosphere, we support the formation of the PDS
to enliven the existing [democratic] discourse. Now is the time for the PDS to
take responsibility in carrying out their ideological, political, economic,
legal and socio-cultural program. We are ready to work jointly with the PDS and
other organisations which have the same platform as us.
Abolish remnants of the New Order!
Abandon the fake reformers!
Jakarta, November 17, 2000
Central Leadership Committee of the People's Democratic Party
s/- Budiman Sudjatmiko Chairperson
Petrus H. Hariyanto General Secretary
[Translated by James Balowski, ASIET publications and information officer.]
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