'I have no intention to become PKB chairman': Alwi

'I have no intention to become PKB chairman': Alwi

JAKARTA (JP): Alwi Shihab maintains that he has no intention
of running for the chairmanship of the National Awakening Party
(PKB).

Claiming that he would not nominate nor promote himself for
the position, Alwi said it would be difficult for him to
reconcile between his current post as Foreign Minister and head
of Indonesia's third largest party in the 1999 general election.

Nevertheless a remark of conditionality was still implied.

"I will not run for the candidacy or establish a supporters'
group for me. I will leave it to the party's congress and Gus Dur
to decide," Alwi said here on Sunday, referring to Abdurrahman by
his popular nickname.

Alwi conceded that he would accept the position if he obtains
majority support from party chapters and if he is given the
blessing of Abdurrahman, who is the party founder.

In other words Alwi does not seem interested in leading a
party split on the issue of leadership and believes that his
ascension as PKB chief would require full and united support from
the party.

Thus, despite his claims, it is still questionable whether
Alwi does not actually covet the position or simply does not wish
to campaign for it.

The PKB has its base support in Indonesia's largest Muslim
organization Nadhatul Ulama (NU), which Abdurrahman chaired for
15 years.

Alwi's name has been cited among a shortlist of candidates,
along with incumbent chairman Matori Abdul Djalil, for the top
party post when it convenes its congress in East Java next week.

Several party chapters, such as East Java, have already
expressed their support for Alwi due to Matori's failure to
secure the target of 24-percent of votes in last year's election.

But Alwi on Sunday insisted that Matori and other candidates
were also apt for the job.

"I believe pak Matori and pak Mustofa Bisri of the NU will
have more flexibility and opportunities to become the chairman
than me," he said.

"I have to consult with the Kyais (Islamic teachers) and with
Gus Dur to see what they have to say about my position," Alwi
added.

When asked which he would prefer, if he had a choice, Alwi
asserted that the two positions -- Foreign Minister and PKB chief
-- equally served the public and that he does not have any
preference.

But with or without Alwi's encouragement, declarations of
support from various chapters continued.

The secretary of the party's Yogyakarta chapter, Nur Achmad
Affandi, asserted that the chapter would likely throw its support
behind Alwi.

Nur Achmad told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that despite Alwi's
lack of experience in the political field, the minister can
develop professionalism and better manage the party than Matori.

"We've already discussed this and concluded that pak Alwi has
the ability and willingness to improve the party's managerial
aspects. But we also understand that pak Alwi has a limited
understanding of the political constellation," he said.

Nur criticized Matori's leadership due to the absence of clear
programs and education for the party's cadre, along with a
minimal contribution for President Abdurrahman Wahid during his
tenure.

However, Nur underlined that the chapter will not be trapped
in a competition of figures because the most important thing will
be the development of the organization to become an open and
professional party. (44/dja)