PBB to expel two for going against party line

JAKARTA (JP): The Crescent Star Party (PBB) executive board will dismiss legislators Hartono Mardjono and Abdul Qodir Djaelani from the party's membership over their claim that they are the legitimate chairman and secretary-general of the party, respectively.

One of the party's deputy chairmen, Hamdan Zoelva, said on Thursday that their action cannot be tolerated and that the party would dismiss the two legislators.

"It's intolerable and unacceptable for them to claim themselves as the legitimate chairman and secretary-general of the executive board, respectively," Hamdan told journalists at the House of Representatives compound.

Separately, another deputy chairman Sahar Hasan said Hartono and Djaelani were not elected to the party's executive board at the party's first congress earlier last year.

At its April 2000 meeting the congress elected Yusril Ihza Mahendra, incumbent minister of justice and human rights, as chairman.

Hartono also attended the congress, and along with 15 other members of the opposing group, claimed that it was illegitimate.

"Hartono was one of the candidates who paid RS, but he only got 14 votes. We are going to proceed with the dismissal so that it is effective as soon as possible," Sahar said at the conference.

He contended that Hartono and Abdul have violated the party's regulations and decisions.

Asked about the fate of the legislators, Sahar said the party would find a legitimate way to deal with them as the new law on the legislators' positions and ranks did not include a recall mechanism for legislators.

"But the law cannot be dismissed if they did not perform their duties. Besides, if he was not one of the party's members can you imagine what would happen in our faction at the House," he added.

Earlier, this week, Hartono issued a statement calling for Abdurrahman's resignation in the name of the party. He signed the statement as PBB's chairman.

When asked to comment on his dismissal, Hartono said the executive board of his "party" will be the one to fire the whole executive board of the party.

"As you all can see the PBB faction will follow my lead and not them," Hartono claimed. (dja)