Embattled PKB faces another crisis

KEDIRI, East Java: As many as 54 clerics from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) have demanded the central board of the National Awakening Party (PKB) annul its recent decision to dismiss Syaifullah Yusuf as the party's general secretary.

"If they do not comply with our demand, NU kyais (clerics) will ask for a PKB extraordinary meeting. If the meeting is not held, we will set up a new political party," said Cholil Bisri, a respected NU cleric and a lawmaker representing the PKB.

The clerics held a meeting at the residence of Idris Marzuki, who runs a boarding school in Lirboyo, Kediri on Tuesday afternoon.

Cholil, a deputy speaker from the People's Consultative Assembly, said the clerics planned another meeting in Jakarta involving some 1,000 clerics, aimed at setting up a caucus to accommodate the interests of NU clerics.

The PKB advisory board recommended the dismissal of Syaifullah due to, among other things, his suggestion to reconcile with rival Matori Abdul Djalil. -- JP