NU asks PKB to settle disputes

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