MMI Ahyani/BI & AH, Bandung – Hundreds supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) have staged a protest in Bandung. Calling themselves the West Java Community Movement Against Phony Reformists, they demand the dismissal of the PDIP faction leader at the House of Representatives, Arifin Panigoro. Their protest was staged as the Indonesian Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri opened a Geological Museum in Bandung on Tuesday.

The protesters also demanded that Megawati, as the Chairperson of PDIP, remove all remnants from the New Order regime who have managed to infiltrate the party. According to Supriyadi, this includes Supriyadi. "Arifin claims to be a reformist, when in fact he is a wolf in sheep's clothing," he said.

Supriyadi also accused Arifin of using PDIP to safeguard his business and himself. As the owner of well known oil company, Medco, he is trying to hide behind PDIP to get away from the debt collectors. "His business was prosperous under the Suharto and new order regime. Now using his booty from the past, Arifin is trying to control the PDIP," Supriyadi said angrily.

Supriyadi elaborated further, saying that at the present moment Arifin has established a political power base, and has been trying to control the political scene in West Java. There is a rumor circulating lately that Arifin will be running for the governor's position for West Java.

Based on those observations, Supriyadi and his colleagues will try to get Megawati's attention, to express their concern for PDIP and to demand Arifin's removal from his current position and the withdrawal his membership.