Hans David Tampubolon, Jakarta – Newly re-elected Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri is said to be tireless in keeping the party from aligning with the ruling coalition, but the party's new structure shows it may ultimately result in reform.

In the eyes of a party youth wing leader, the composition of PDI-P central executive board Megawati unveiled at the conclusion of the party's congress in Bali last week, grants her symbolic status, which will deprive her of the authority to dictate the party's future agenda and political stance, including whether the PDI-P will accept an offer to join the coalition to support the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"The new structure confirms our concern that the PDI-P will emerge as a party that works based on vested interests. This was what happened in Megawati's previous five-year term.

"The party claimed itself to be an opposition force, albeit halt-heartedly," he said. Megawati appointed seasoned politician Tjahjo Kumolo, known for his close ties with Megawati's husband and the party's chief adviser Taufik Kiemas, as the secretary-general, and entrusted some key posts to new faces whose idealism has not born fruits.

Cepi Budi Mulyawan, PDI-P official, recalled PDI-P diehard supporters, urging Megawati to recruit only non-compromising figures if she was to maintain the party's opposition character.

"Ibu Mega faced a major dilemma. On one side, she understood our wishes, but on the other hand she wanted to serve the interests of Taufik," Cepi said, referring to Taufik, who has consistently promoted an ideological coalition between the PDI-P and Yudhoyono's Democratic Party.

"At the end of the day, Ibu Mega had no choice but to accept the structure proposed by Taufik, because she thought it was the best and most suitable for the party," Cepi recounted.

He said between 60 and 70 percent of the party's executive seats went to the reform camp.

"The conciliatory figures are characterized by the fact that they are new faces who have not yet built a reputation within the party. They also secure the posts not because of their political proficiency and service, but their financial power," he said.

With Megawati's re-election as the party chairwoman for the third straight term a foregone conclusion, a number of PDI-P senior politicians said that the battle was for the party secretary-general post, which went to Tjahjo.

Other candidates for the post included the then incumbent, Pramono Anung, and PDI-P legislators Maruarar Sirait, Ganjar Pranowo and Effendi Simbolon.