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.