Alwi challenges court verdict

JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab has appealed to the Supreme Court against a district court verdict uphelding his dismissal as National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman last year.

He also asks PKB lawmakers who support him to remain calm despite a possible move by the party faction loyal to former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid to recall them from the House of Representatives.

"The district court verdict is neither final nor conclusive," Alwi said on Friday.

The South Jakarta District Court ruled on Wednesday that the PKB's decision to dismiss him was legitimate. Alwi was shown the door after joining the Cabinet of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The party congress in April reaffirmed Alwi's dismissal and elected Muhaimin Iskandar as its new leader. -- JP