NU asks PKB to settle disputes

JAKARTA: The country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has urged the two warring factions of the National Awakening Party (PKB) to settle their dispute.

The organization, which boosts some 50 million members, underlined on Sunday that it would not take sides in the dispute in order to maintain unity among NU members.

"We let them decide what to do, but remember that most PKB supporters are NU members, so the conflict should be settled as soon as possible," NU deputy chairman Achmad Bagja said.

The party split into two following the ouster of former president Abdurrahman Wahid from the presidential palace in 2001. Abdurrahman is the founder of the PKB.

One PKB faction is led by Alwi Shihab and continues to enjoy the backing of Abdurrahman, while another group, led by Matori Abdul Djalil, enjoys the support of President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The internal rift has hampered the party's registration with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, one of the requirements for participation in the 2004 elections. --Antara