House recognizes Muhaimin-led PKB

Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The House of Representatives says it recognizes the members of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction loyal to Muhaimin Iskandar as the party's official legislators, despite its worsening internal conflict.

House Speaker Agung Laksono said on Monday that the House would stick to the current PKB faction formation pending the issuance of a decision by the court on the dispute, which has split the party and its faction at the House.

"A faction lineup comes under the authority of a party because a House faction is an extension of the party. In the PKB case, the House recognizes the current formation as we're still waiting for a legally conclusive verdict," Agung said after a meeting with PKB faction leaders headed by Ali Masykur Musa.

Earlier in the day, Agung received a delegation from a party splinter group under Alwi Shihab, who proposed the replacement of the PKB faction leaders in the House.

Muhammad A.S. Hikam, who led the delegates from the Alwi camp, said the splinter group had named Hikam, Soleh Abdul Malik and Idham Cholid as the faction's chairman, secretary and treasurer respectively to replace Ali, Helmy Faishal Zainy, and Fachruddin.

The PKB became involved in squabbling following its congress in April, which elected Muhaimin as the party leader, replacing Alwi who had earlier been dismissed for joining the Cabinet of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Alwi, and dismissed PKB secretary-general Saifullah Yusuf, are challenging the decision in court.

Alwi, the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, deemed the congress illegitimate as it had not involved either him or Saifullah, who is the state minister for disadvantaged regions. The two are gathering support for a national meeting of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) ulemas to question the congress's legitimacy.

The PKB was founded by NU clerics in 1998.

The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights has refused to acknowledge the central board under Muhaimin, pending settlement to the dispute.

Hikam insisted that the PKB faction loyal to Muhaimin was illegitimate.

"This means that we have the authority to convene all faction internal meetings. If Muhaimin's camp wants to hold its own internal meetings, we'll see who has more members in attendance," he said.

The PKB holds 52 House seats.

Hikam's statement was quickly responded to by Ali, who was named PKB deputy chairman by the April congress, and who met with Agung to confirm his position as faction chairman.

"Pak Agung acknowledged that the PKB faction has so far been working well and has a good relationship with other factions. Things will stay the same," Ali said.

During the meeting, Ali also submitted a letter of loyalty to Muhaimin, which was signed by 44 PKB lawmakers.

Ali said he expected the remaining eight, most likely Alwi supporters, to follow suit and sign the letter.

"But we promise that we're not thinking of recalling them. We'll wait and see how things go. But we aren't worrying or even thinking about the replacements (suggested by Alwi)," said Ali.