Taufiq is Champion of Political Communications

Jakarta (Antara) - Political communications expert Ari Junaedi of the University of Indonesia said that People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Taufiq Kiemas was a champion of political communications. "Through his political communications, Taufiq Kiemas is able to developed the Indonesian Democratic Part of Struggle (PDIP) into a pluralist and nationalist party which is able to produce young cadres," Ari Junaedi said when contacted here on Sunday. He said the success of Taufiq in political education was reflected in producing PDIP cadres which had political capability. "Most of the young cadres produced by PDIP come from the young generation cicrle such as Joko Widodo, Ganjar Pranowo and Rieke Diah Pitaloka. He really realizes the importance of producing young cadres ," said Ari. He said that Taufiq's political style also transformed the PDIP into a dynamic party which was not merely an opposition but also a party which often visited and had cordial meetings with the elite of other political parties. As the speaker of the MPR, Taufiq has the commitment to realizing the four pillars of the nation, namely the Pancasila (five principle) state ideology, the 1945 Constitution, the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Ari said that after his demise the four pillars would be able to awaken the people's awareness of unity because threat of national disintegration still existed. Taufiq Kiemas who is also the husband of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri died at the age of 70 at Singapore General Hospital on Saturday evening. He was buried at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery here on Sunday with a state funeral service directly led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (*)