Hamzah hopes to retain PPP post

JAKARTA: United Development Party (PPP) leader Hamzah Haz said on Monday he would not allow the possibility of an earlier national congress before the scheduled Jan. 1, 2007, which his critics say would be aimed at replacing him.

"But don't say it (the congress) must take place in 2005 because it breaches the party's standing orders," Hamzah stated.

Earlier this year, a splinter PPP faction held a three-day national meeting in Jakarta, recommending that a leadership congress be convened in 2005 instead of 2007, to replace Hamzah.

At least five PPP executives were suspended from the party's central board for attending the meeting.

Hamzah, the former vice president, said he would be happy to retire from his post at some point, but he stressed that he would not leave the party while it was in disarray due to a lack of cohesion among its leaders. --Antara