Michael Wattimena, the secretary of the party faction in the House of Representatives (DPR), told newsmen that under current conditions all party cadres are to become more solid and would not even disclose the party's shortcomings to the public.
He recalled that chief patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had also many times called for ending disputes that emerged during the party congress and appealed to all sides to prepare for the future.
"This is like an anomaly. I do not know for sure, but I feel as if it is being designed to make the image of party chief Anas Urbaningrum and the Democrats Party appear bad. The accusations addressed to them have so far been irrational and tendentious, while the party chief and secretary general have made maximum consolidation efforts by visiting regions at least three times a month," he said.
Michael Wattimena who was also the coordinator of the success team for Anas Urbaningrum for Maluku, North Maluku, Papua and West Papua regions during the congress in Bandung, West Java in 2010, said it has become a question and, at the same time, a big concern that almost two years after the congress, suddenly the money issue has emerged.
"It seems that the issue has been systematically and organizationally raised to delegitimize the leadership of Anas Urbaningrum," he said.
He noted that if, indeed, money had been distributed during the congress, why had not the recipients returned it right away if they felt it went against their conscience to keep the money?
"This is an internal problem, and so why has it not been reported directly to the Supervising Commission or the Ethics Council when they think it is not right?" he asked.
Michael said no money had been used to buy votes during the congress. Rather, money had been distributed to district board members for transport and accommodations which the committee did not pay.
"During the congress, the committee only paid for one hotel room for each district, while members of the delegation often included more than the official five to 15 per district. So, it is normal if we then gave them accommodations. So no money politics has been played," he said.
Michael suspected that the party`s internal problem had now worsened due to statements from those who were not re-elected during the district and provincial party board member elections.
(Uu.H-YH/INE/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
