Election of KNPI chairman postponed
Election of KNPI chairman postponed
JAKARTA (JP): The congress of the Indonesian National Youth
Committee (KNPI), scheduled to end today, encountered glitches
yesterday which meant the chairmanship election had to be
delayed.
The meetings of the commissions to discuss the congress'
statutes and planned changes in its structure went until late
last night, and were marked by heated debate. The election of the
new chairman to replace outgoing Tubagus Haryono thus had to be
delayed.
As of last night, Tubagus, who had the support of 27
provincial chapters of KNPI, still insisted he would not seek
reelection. "I have returned my supporters' mandate. They are
free to choose anyone else," he said.
The election will be decided by 68 votes: 27 of them belong to
the representatives of the 27 provincial chapter of KNPI, 39
belong to representatives of the youth groups that make up KNPI,
one vote is from the Indonesian Council of Youths -- which is the
KNPI's honorary council, and the last one belongs to the outgoing
executive board.
As of last night, Djoko Purwongemboro from the Panca Marga
Youth Organization, which is closely linked to the Armed Forces,
seemed to be the strongest contender.
Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung had said
earlier last week that ABRI preferred the KNPI chairman to come
from either Panca Marga or the Communication Forum of Ex-
Servicemen's Children (FKPPI).
The other contenders that remained poised for battle yesterday
were Maulana Isman of Kosgoro, an organization affiliated to
Golkar, Adhyaksa of KNPI's Jakarta chapter, Kaharuddin Syah of
Pemuda Pancasila, Ramli H.M. Yusuf of the outgoing executive
board, and Taufiq Hidayat of the Islamic Students Association,
who reportedly has the blessing of Army Chief of Staff Gen. R.
Hartono.
Maulana, the younger brother of the Minister of Youth Affairs
and Sport, claimed to have 30 of the 68 votes. Kaharuddin said he
had 29 votes, while Adhyaksa reportedly enjoyed the support of
the "Cipayung" group of influential youth organizations including
the Nationalist Youth Movement (GMNI).
The organization is known for its close links with Golkar and
is often considered a springboard for young activists's political
careers.
Organizers yesterday said that after the commissions' meeting
on the statutes and structure changes are concluded, the congress
would nominate candidates and continue with the chairmanship
election.
Afterwards, a team will be set up to establish the full line-
up of KNPI new central executive board. The team will comprise
the 27 provincial chapters, the 39 organizations that make up
KNPI, the newly elected chairman, a representative of the
outgoing board, and finally the representative from the
Indonesian Youth Council.
The congress was opened last Monday by Vice President Try
Sutrisno.
On Saturday, the congress was marred with heated arguments. A
scuffle almost broke out, but was immediately contained by
security personnel.
The commotion started when an official from North Sumatra
grabbed the microphone, which was supposed to be given to the
Aceh representative, and started reading a "joint communique" of
the chapter's evaluation of the outgoing board.
East Java chapter representatives interrupted and shouted that
the "agreement" had been contrived and manipulated. (imn)