Marianne Kearney, Semarang – Charismatic Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri is still hugely popular with ordinary Indonesians. But her popularity may not last until the next elections if her party does not reform itself, say party critics.
Thousands of supporters have flocked to this Central Java town for the Indonesian Democratic Party Perjuangan's congress. The town is awash with the red flags of the party, stalls selling Megawati souvenirs line the main streets and kiosks have been painted red for her arrival.
But her popularity may not last if the party does not reform its structure and starts showing how it will help the little people, say the critics. "The question is if in five years' time Megawati is still a symbol of the oppressed," says political analyst, Mr Tomi Legowo from the Centre for Strategic Studies. Part of the party's problem is the almost cult status of the daughter of Indonesia's first president, which is still as strong as ever.
Ms Megawati's temporary departure from the congress is more reminiscent of a royal parade than the movements of a vice- president.
Like a private army, hundreds of PDI-P's black-clad civilian security guards took control of the streets leading out from the hotel, providing a guard of honour even though the Vice-President has official military guards.
"Mega herself is a problem because she has become more and more secularised," says Imam Prasodjo from the University of Indonesia's political science faculty.
The problem with her followers' blind devotion is that in the glow of success the party has failed to develop any real policies, says Mr Tomi Legowo. "Megawati should be clear what kind of ideas she has for the future of Indonesia. The congress should produce a party policy platform that is easily understood by PDI-P and society," he says.
But with the congress caught up with electing Ms Megawati as chairman and with debates over how to elect a new executive council, new policy directions are unlikely to emerge.
"The PDI-P followers adore their leader fanatically. We have to change their way of thinking so that they use rationalism and are able to criticise the party," says PDI-P member Dimyati Hartono, who is also a candidate in the elections to the party posts.
Critics say the party's lack of clear direction means it has failed to lead the debate on key issues such as increasing the price of basic commodities, which affect the lives of the ordinary Indonesian workers.
Mr Mochtar Buchori, PDI-P deputy chairman, says the party still has a policy vacuum in major areas such as foreign affairs, defence and education. Part of the problem, say the reformists within the party, is that the undemocratic and hierarchical structure of the party prevents reform and new ideas. They point out that the way the party elite handled challenges to Ms Megawati's position illustrates the limits of the party's democratic ideals.
"People around Mega want Mega as the only candidate which is ridiculous as this is supposed to be a democratic party," says Mr Eros Djarot, one of the challengers who was banned from attending the conference by the Jakarta chapter of the PDI-P.
Mr Mochtar Buchori agrees the party is split along lines of personal allegiances rather than policy. "Eros has been rejected because he is not part of the inner circle and anyone who feels threatened by an outsider will reject him," he says.
The conservatives argue that Ms Megawati is the crucial figurehead for the party and without her as chairman the party cannot survive.
But Mr Eros Djarot and Mr Dimyati Hartono say she is too consumed by her role as Vice-President to run the party effectively. Analysts say that Ms Megawati is really the only sensible choice for party leader, and changes to the leadership will only erode its support further.
However they agree that the party is being undermined by poor management. "They are good at organising parades on the street but not good at formal organisation. Look at all the double delegates you have fighting each other," says political commentator Andi Mallarangeng referring to arguments over who qualifies as a regional delegate.
Both Mr Dimyati and Mr Mochtar say part of the party's problem is that it has a shortage of well-educated and well-qualified members and representatives to invigorate the party.
PDI-P's previously squeaky clean image has also been tarnished over the past few months by corruption charges. In some cities, representatives were accused and later found to have stolen money. And in one city, candidates accepted payments in exchange for voting for rival parties. "We have a moral crisis, and if we don't improve morally we'll be like the New Order," said Mr Dimyati Hartono.