PPP chapter members want recognition<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dissenting members from the United Development
\nParty (PPP) Jakarta chapter yesterday demanded that the central
\nexecutive board recognize its chairman.<\/p>\n
Arifin Arbain, who said he was legitimately elected during the
\nrecent chapter meeting, told the press that he has met with PPP
\nChairman Ismail Hasan Metareum, but has not secured his support.<\/p>\n
\"I asked for an audience during which I sought his
\nrecognition,\" Arifin said. \"The chairman promised that the
\ncentral executive board would meet soon and discuss recognition
\nof this chapter's leadership.\"<\/p>\n
Arifin and his supporters claimed victory at the election
\nduring the chapter's congress early this month, beating Rusjdi
\nHamka, the candidate fielded by Ismail Hasan's Central Executive
\nBoard.<\/p>\n
Ismail Hasan had annulled the elections results on grounds
\nthat the leadership should have full support of the floor.<\/p>\n
The chairmanship became vacant following the appointment of
\nthe previous chairman, Djufrie Asmoredjo, to the central
\nexecutive board last year.<\/p>\n
Ismail Hasan also announced that the central executive board
\nhas taken matters of the Jakarta chapter leadership into its own
\nhands after the election failed to produce an outright winner.<\/p>\n
Arifin and his deputy, Mohammad Rodja, expressed optimism that
\nthe board would rule in their favor eventually.<\/p>\n
\"Buya (Father) Ismail may not recognize us yet, but he
\nreceived me and he didn't say that he does not recognize my
\nchairmanship,\" Arifin said.<\/p>\n
Rodja, who dominated the press briefing and appeared to be
\nmore ready with answers as to what the dissenters plan to do
\nafterward, was also optimistic. He said the chapter will go on
\nseeking \"rightful ways\" to get the recognition.<\/p>\n
Rodja said he believes that the problem lies more with
\nDjufrie, who had been insisting on the appointment of Rusjdi,
\nrather than with Ismail Hasan.<\/p>\n
He even accused Djufrie of scheming against Ismail Hasan.<\/p>\n
\"We're very concerned,\" Rodja said. \"We are suspicious that
\nthis whole mess has been engineered by Djufrie who wishes to
\ndestroy the legitimacy of Ismail Hasan's leadership.\"<\/p>\n
Arifin said that even without the recognition of the central
\nboard, he and his colleagues have the right to lead the chapter
\nbased on the outcome of the vote by the election council at the
\ncongress.<\/p>\n
Arifin had the endorsement of three of the five council
\nmembers who cast their ballots at the election. Two council
\nmembers, including Djufrie, abstained during the voting.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Arifin and his colleagues issued a political
\nstatement using the name and letterhead of PPP's Jakarta chapter.<\/p>\n
In the statement, the chapter said it supported the recent
\nstatement by Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat that
\nthe government would never recognize illegitimate, rival boards
\nin any political organization.<\/p>\n
The group claimed that its establishment was a reflection of
\nthe government's wish to uphold democracy.<\/p>\n
Ismail Hasan, who was reelected to the PPP chairmanship for a
\nsecond five-year term last August, has been busy touring the
\nnation over the last two months to oversee the elections of PPP
\nchapter leaders in 27 provinces. Jakarta, so far, appears to be
\nthe only chapter where he has encountered a problem. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ppp-chapter-members-want-recognition-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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