PBB to elect new leader

JAKARTA: The Crescent Star Party (PBB) is expected to hold a national congress later this month, with the election of its leader for the 2005 to 2010 presidential election topping the agenda.

Hilman Indra, the party's chief advisor, said on Wednesday outgoing PBB leader Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who is currently the State Secretary, had hinted he would refuse to contest the party's top post during the meeting scheduled for April 28 to May 1.

PBB secretary general MS Kaban, deputy chairman Anwar Saleh and senior members Hamdan Zoelva, Nursamsi Nurlan, Zaenal Abidin and Ali Mochtar Ngabalin were eager to fill Yusril's shoes, Hilman said.

The meeting will also discuss a change to the party's name as a consequence of its failure to meet the electoral threshold in the legislative election last year.

The party will have to register with the General Elections Commission under a new name to enable it to contest the 2009 polls. -- Antara