PKB Alwi Shihab wins party battle<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights announced on Tuesday the
\nNational Awakening Party (PKB) led by Alwi Shihab can undergo
\nscreening to determine whether it meets the requirements for a
\npolitical party.<\/p>\n
The PKB split into two groups -- one led by Alwi Shihab and
\nthe other by Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil -- in 2001,
\nwith each faction claiming to be the legitimate party.<\/p>\n
The decision by the justice ministry to begin the verification
\nof the Alwi Shihab-led PKB faction in effect recognizes that
\nfaction as the legitimate PKB. This paves the way for the faction
\nto take part in the 2004 legislative elections and to receive Rp
\n16 billion in government funds.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Court earlier issued a ruling that also favored
\nthe Alwi Shihab camp.<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said
\non Tuesday the decision was made \"based on legal considerations\",
\nbrushing aside suggestions it was politically motivated.<\/p>\n
\"The ministry has decided to begin the verification process
\nfor the party led by Pak Alwi Shihab, and expects that the legal
\nefforts being carried out by Pak Matori Abdul Djalil will not
\naffect this decision,\" Yusril said.<\/p>\n
Yusril was referring to the appeal filed by Matori with the
\nSupreme Court, asking for a review of the court's decision to
\naward Alwi Shihab's faction the right to use PKB's name, logo and
\nanthem.<\/p>\n
In other legal maneuverings, the South Jakarta District Court
\nrecently issued a decision suggesting that Matori's earlier
\ndismissal from the party was groundless.<\/p>\n
The Alwi Shihab-led PKB faction appealed the decision to the
\nJakarta High Court, which last Friday ruled, \"Matori's dismissal
\nwas legal, and therefore he cannot use the party's attributes.\"<\/p>\n
\"I believe that the Supreme Court understands that there
\ncannot be two decisions on the same subject. I hope the court
\nissues a verdict that does not overrule its first verdict,\"
\nYusril said, referring to Matori's request for a legal review.<\/p>\n
Matori was the chairman of the PKB but was dismissed from the
\nparty after backing a special session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly that ousted Abdurrahman Wahid from the
\npresidency in 2001. Abdurrahman was one of the founders of the
\nPKB.<\/p>\n
The internal rift has hampered the party's registration with
\nthe Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, which is a requirement
\nfor participation in the 2004 elections.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman contacted President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
\nhusband Taufik Kiemas, seeking his help in resolving the dispute.
\nIt is not clear whether Taufik had anything to do with the
\nministry's decision to verify Alwi's PKB faction.<\/p>\n
Alwi, along with other PKB executives, attended a press
\nconference and expressed satisfaction over the ministry's
\ndecision.<\/p>\n
PKB deputy chairman Mahfud M.D. said the decision would enable
\nthe party to contest the 2004 elections, as well as to receive
\nsome Rp 16 billion in funds from the government.<\/p>\n
Separately, Matori's lawyer Alamsyah Hanafiah said his client
\nwas considering filing a complaint with the State Administrative
\nCourt against the ministry's decision, arguing that \"the legal
\nbattle between the two parties is still ongoing and should not be
\nhalted\".<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pkb-alwi-shihab-wins-party-battle-1447893297",
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