House recognizes Muhaimin-led PKB<\/p>\n
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives says it recognizes the members of
\nthe National Awakening Party (PKB) faction loyal to Muhaimin
\nIskandar as the party's official legislators, despite its
\nworsening internal conflict.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Agung Laksono said on Monday that the House would
\nstick to the current PKB faction formation pending the issuance
\nof a decision by the court on the dispute, which has split the
\nparty and its faction at the House.<\/p>\n
\"A faction lineup comes under the authority of a party because
\na House faction is an extension of the party. In the PKB case,
\nthe House recognizes the current formation as we're still waiting
\nfor a legally conclusive verdict,\" Agung said after a meeting
\nwith PKB faction leaders headed by Ali Masykur Musa.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, Agung received a delegation from a party
\nsplinter group under Alwi Shihab, who proposed the replacement of
\nthe PKB faction leaders in the House.<\/p>\n
Muhammad A.S. Hikam, who led the delegates from the Alwi camp,
\nsaid the splinter group had named Hikam, Soleh Abdul Malik and
\nIdham Cholid as the faction's chairman, secretary and treasurer
\nrespectively to replace Ali, Helmy Faishal Zainy, and Fachruddin.<\/p>\n
The PKB became involved in squabbling following its congress
\nin April, which elected Muhaimin as the party leader, replacing
\nAlwi who had earlier been dismissed for joining the Cabinet of
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Alwi, and dismissed PKB
\nsecretary-general Saifullah Yusuf, are challenging the decision
\nin court.<\/p>\n
Alwi, the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, deemed
\nthe congress illegitimate as it had not involved either him or
\nSaifullah, who is the state minister for disadvantaged regions.
\nThe two are gathering support for a national meeting of Nahdlatul
\nUlama (NU) ulemas to question the congress's legitimacy.<\/p>\n
The PKB was founded by NU clerics in 1998.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights has refused to
\nacknowledge the central board under Muhaimin, pending settlement
\nto the dispute.<\/p>\n
Hikam insisted that the PKB faction loyal to Muhaimin was
\nillegitimate.<\/p>\n
\"This means that we have the authority to convene all faction
\ninternal meetings. If Muhaimin's camp wants to hold its own
\ninternal meetings, we'll see who has more members in attendance,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The PKB holds 52 House seats.<\/p>\n
Hikam's statement was quickly responded to by Ali, who was
\nnamed PKB deputy chairman by the April congress, and who met with
\nAgung to confirm his position as faction chairman.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Agung acknowledged that the PKB faction has so far been
\nworking well and has a good relationship with other factions.
\nThings will stay the same,\" Ali said.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Ali also submitted a letter of loyalty to
\nMuhaimin, which was signed by 44 PKB lawmakers.<\/p>\n
Ali said he expected the remaining eight, most likely Alwi
\nsupporters, to follow suit and sign the letter.<\/p>\n
\"But we promise that we're not thinking of recalling them.
\nWe'll wait and see how things go. But we aren't worrying or even
\nthinking about the replacements (suggested by Alwi),\" said Ali.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-recognizes-muhaimin-led-pkb-1447893297",
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