PPP may bring forward congress to 2003: Hamzah<\/p>\n
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In anticipation of the heated competition ahead in the 2004
\ngeneral election, United Development Party (PPP) chairman and
\nVice President Hamzah Haz hinted on Wednesday that the party
\nwould expedite its much disputed congress to 2003 instead of 2004
\nas part of an internal party reconciliation.<\/p>\n
The party chairman made the statement during a meeting with
\nthe chairman of the Justice Party (PK), Hidayat Nur Wahid, at the
\nvice presidential office in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"The decision to bring forward the congress to 2003 is part of
\na national reconciliation, starting from a reconciliation within
\nPPP,\" Hidayat quoted Hamzah as saying.<\/p>\n
Hidayat said Hamzah's stance on the party congress was clear
\nas the Vice President had repeatedly stated the importance of an
\ninternal reconciliation within PPP.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, which was also attended by PPP secretary-
\ngeneral Alimarwan Hanan, Hamzah instructed Alimarwan to
\nimmediately schedule a national meeting of party leaders before
\nJune 23.<\/p>\n
Previously, Hamzah's supporters in the party's executive
\nboard, who wish to see him remain in power, decided that the next
\nparty congress would be held in 2004, the same year as the
\ncountry's general election.<\/p>\n
As he insisted on postponing the party's congress from 2003 to
\n2004, young PPP members led by noted Muslim preacher Zainuddin
\nM.Z. -- a former PPP leader -- declared the establishment of PPP
\nReformasi on Jan. 21 this year.<\/p>\n
They argued that the change was in violation of a party
\nregulation.<\/p>\n
There has been speculation that a dispute between Hamzah and
\nZainuddin followed over a struggle for power in drafting the
\nlegislator lineup for the 2004 general election.<\/p>\n
The one chosen as the party's chairman in the year of the
\nelection would have the ultimate decision in choosing PPP's
\ncandidates, who would compete in the election.<\/p>\n
PPP, who came in third in the 1999 general election, is likely
\nto perform poorly in the upcoming election, due to internal rifts
\nbetween the executive board and its youth wing as well as the
\nrecent split by Zainuddin's faction.<\/p>\n
As PPP Reformasi turned into a growing threat, Hamzah called
\non the splinter group to reunite and strengthen the Muslim-based
\npolitical party.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Djafar Badjeber, an executive of PPP Reformasi,
\nsaid that whether Hamzah would postpone or expedite the congress
\nwould not matter much anymore.<\/p>\n
\"If they do have their congress in 2003, we wish them all the
\nbest. Frankly, to us (PPP Reformasi), it doesn't matter anymore
\nwhen Hamzah will hold the congress,\" Djafar told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
PPP Reformasi has registered its party with the Ministry of
\nJustice and Human Rights.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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