Alwi's camp takes Matori's seat at DPR

Alwi's camp takes Matori's seat at DPR

JAKARTA: The internal dispute in the National Awakening Party
(PKB) has come to an close as the position left vacant by Matori
Abdul Djalil at the House of Representatives (DPR) has been
handed over to the rival camp of Alwi Shihab.

Matori was replaced by Hanief Ismail, of Alwi's camp. Three
other politicians Muhaimin MT, Nuril Huda, and Sugiharti M. Karim
were installed to replace legislators who had died.

The substitution was held on Wednesday at a ceremony presided
over by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung.

Matori was dismissed from PKB after backing a move to impeach
president Abdurrahman Wahid in July last year. He was later
appointed defense minister by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

But Matori was adamant that he was the legitimate chairman of
PKB. Due to the prolonged conflict, the House decided to keep
Matori's post vacant.

"This event (the installation of Matori's successor) is a
victory for us. We have returned to the correct path," Alwi said
after the ceremony. -- JP