Loyalists announce support for Hamzah

Loyalists announce support for Hamzah

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Supporters of United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz
backed his leadership on Friday, vowing to push for the
reelection of the veteran politician during a five-day congress
starting on May 20.

The nomination followed an agreement by representatives from
23 provincial chapters and 308 regional branches throughout the
country.

Seven provincial chapters did not attend the forum, namely
Bengkulu, Jambi, Yogyakarta, Central Sulawesi, Southeast
Sulawesi, North Maluku and Papua.

"Their absence does not necessarily mean that they do not
support Hamzah Haz," said Hasjrul Harahap, spokesman of the Forum
of Hamzah Loyalists here on Friday.

The announcement was made apparently in response to Bachtiar
Chamsyah's announcement that he was ready to take over the
chairpersonship. Bachtiar is one of the party's chairpersons.

Bachtiar, who is also the minister for social affairs, claimed
that his nomination was supported by party members affiliated to
Parmusi, one of PPP's components.

Hamzah has previously said he would not renominate himself for
the PPP leadership.

Hasjrul said Hamzah had won the support of the majority of PPP
chapters to maintain his leadership.

PPP legislator Arif Mudatsir Mandan told The Jakarta Post on
Friday that Hamzah was supported by cadres in regional areas,
while Bachtiar only won the support of Parmusi.

Arif did not elaborate on the capacity of Bachtiar's
supporters.

PPP was set up in January 1973 with the fusion of four Islamic
political parties: Nahdlatul Ulama Party (PNU), Indonesian Muslim
Party (Parmusi), Indonesian Islamic Unity Party (PSII) and the
Islamic Party (PERTI).

Hamzah refused to discuss whether he was ready or not to lead
the party for another five years even though his loyalists wanted
him. "I will let the party congress make the decision," he was
quoted by Antara as saying.

Hamzah was supposed to end his term in November this year but
it was cut short by six months to provide the party more time for
consolidation ahead of the 2004 elections.

Meanwhile, PPP veteran Danial Tandjung said that Bachtiar was
qualified to nominate himself as party chairman but suggested
Bachtiar did not use the sentiment of Parmusi in his nomination.

"It is normal for him to nominate himself for party chairman.
But he should not use that sentiment because we have buried the
issue years ago," Danial said.

PPP deputy secretary general Chozin Chumaidy said the future
chairman should have the qualities needed to serve as president
or vice president.

Anyone who nominates themselves for the chairpersonship, be
Hamzah or Bachtiar, must be endorsed as the party's presidential
or vice presidential candidates, he said.

Hamzah said he would not nominate himself as presidential
candidate should PPP only gain 10 percent of votes in the 2004
elections.

He said all political parties must win at least 20 percent of
the vote to nominate presidential candidates.