BY MAX LANE
JAKARTA — On November 14, six members of the Central Leadership Council of the People's Democratic Party (KPP-PRD) announced the formation of the Democratic Socialist Association (PDS).
The six members are Coen Hussein Pontoh, Dhyta Caturani, Hendri Kuok, Mugianto, Ida Nashim Mh and Muhammad Ma'ruf. The six stated that the PDS has 23 members and had not yet formed any branches. If possible, the PDS will hold a congress in six months.
The PDS has stated it has irreconcilable differences with the PRD. It claims the PRD is bureaucratic, undemocratic, sectarian, not internationalist and does not sufficiently oppose the Wahid government. The PDS also accuses the PRD of deprioritising the question of women's oppression, and has not been serious in party-building or producing a newspaper.
The KPP-PRD issued a statement rejecting the group's claims. It pointed out that the six PDS leaders had failed to take the opportunity to address a meeting of the PRD National Presidium to discuss their situation, including their lack of party activity for six months.
The KPP-PRD statement rejected the criticism that the PRD had not been critical enough of the Wahid government. It pointed to the scores of actions organised by the PRD to protest the government's economic policies and its failure to take action against the Suharto forces still seeking to regain power.
The statement pointed out that the six had voted for the PRD program adopted at the last PRD congress, reflected in the slogan, "Smash the remnants of the Old Order — Golkar, the military and corrupt officials — and leave behind the fake reformers".
The claims that the party lacks internal democracy were rejected.
The KPP-PRD statement welcomed the formation of the PDS. It expressed hope that the PDS can implement its program and stated the PRD's willingness to work with it and any other organisations that have the same platform.
[For the full text of the statements by the KPP-PRD and the PDS, visit <http://www.asiet.org.au>.]