House recognizes Muhaimin-led PKB

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.