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