PDKB to coalesce with PKB

JAKARTA: The tiny Love the Nation Democratic Party (PDKB) faction at the House of Representatives has announced a plan to join the National Awakening Party (PKB).

The decision follows the House's new internal ruling, which stipulates that a faction must comprise at least 10 members. The House has designated the closing of the current sitting, late in March, as the deadline for PDKB to merge with other party.

PDKB only has four members since the dismissal of Astrid Susanto, who opted to join the Indonesian Nationhood faction.

PDKB faction chief Manase Malo said the merger would be formalized after the return of PKB faction chairman Ali Masykur Musa, who is on an overseas trip to the U.S. and Cuba before traveling to Mecca for a haj pilgrimage.

"We are just waiting for Pak Ali's arrival," Manase said.

He said the faction chose PKB due to "a common vision" between the two.

"We share a common mission in certain political issues," Manase said.

PDKB joined forces with PKB last year to oppose the House's censures against former president Abdurrahman Wahid, who is the founder of PKB. -- JP