Hamzah beats Saefuddin to become new PPP chief

Hamzah beats Saefuddin to become new PPP chief

JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) wound up its
fourth congress on Wednesday by appointing new chairman Hamzah
Haz and secretary-general Ali Marwan Hanan to lead it in the
daunting task of facing stiffer political competition.

The outcome of the chairmanship for the term 1998 to 2003 was
predicted since early Wednesday morning when the board of seven
"formatters" was finally decided. Given a free hand to form the
new leadership lineup, the board was dominated by Hamzah and four
of his supporters.

His main rival for the chairmanship, A.M. Saefuddin, was also
a member along with one of his backers.

Deciding the leadership lineup from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. was
relatively smooth, board member Muchsin Bafadal said. The
resulting combination of old and new members was designed to
guarantee the party's continuity.

"I've been with (outgoing chairman) Buya (Ismail Hasan
Metareum) way back since 1971 and I never dreamed I would replace
him as chairman," Hamzah said in victory.

Saefuddin, appointed one of 15 deputies, was gracious in
defeat, saying he was "increasingly proud" that the party was
more unified than ever.

Asked about possible presidential aspirations, Hamzah said:
"Not now. We are prioritizing the party's consolidation first.

"God willing, we will maintain and even increase our support
in next year's election."

Denying claims the PPP was effectively rendered an also-ran
with the many new parties declaring Islamic platforms, Hamzah
said the thousands of supporters during its opening last Sunday
proved its wide support.

Ismail appealed to the new leadership to "increase its speed"
in steering the party although it should be done with "careful
calculation". He warned of increase competition for votes with
the about 100 new parties. "Your burden will also be heavy amid
new paradigms."

Delegates from the country's 27 provinces at the congress site
in East Jakarta had handed in names of the formatters since
Tuesday afternoon. A majority of 255 had chosen Hamzah.

Hamzah, now the state minister of investment, hails from one
of the party's original components, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
Moslem organization. NU members' political affiliations have
become increasingly scattered, with some joining the ruling
Golkar grouping, others signing up with the new crop of parties
and some keeping neutral.

Hamzah's election raised hopes he would draw NU members back
to PPP.

PPP was formed from the fusion of four Islamic political
parties and organizations in 1973. They were NU, Muslimin
Indonesia (MI), Perti and Syarikat Islam (SI).

The new 28-strong executive board is dominated by NU with at
least 13 members. The chairman's 15 deputies include former
secretary-general Tosari Widjaja, Faisal Baasir, the head of the
party faction at the People's Consultative Assembly, Rusjdi
Hamka, head of Jakarta's PPP branch.

Ali Marwan Hanan from MI has nine deputies.

The treasurer is Mahfudlol Ali Ubaid and former chairman
Ismail Hasan Metareum remains head of the party's
advisory board. His 12 deputies include a former chairmanship
candidate, Jusuf Sjakir.

The party's new council of 11 experts boasts a number of
distinguished figures -- chairman Baharuddin Lopa, secretary-
general of the National Commission on Human Rights, a new party
member along with Bismar Siregar, a former chief justice; former
Armed Forces members Adm. (ret.) Asnawi Hassan and Brig.Gen.
(ret) Soewarno. Aisyah Girindra is the head of drug and food
supervision of the Indonesian Ulemas Council, which issues the
required halal certification for all food products.

Baharuddin's deputy is former Jakarta deputy governor Bunyamin
Ramto. (imn/rms/prb/anr)