PKB Alwi Shihab wins party battle

PKB Alwi Shihab wins party battle

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights announced on Tuesday the
National Awakening Party (PKB) led by Alwi Shihab can undergo
screening to determine whether it meets the requirements for a
political party.

The PKB split into two groups -- one led by Alwi Shihab and
the other by Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil -- in 2001,
with each faction claiming to be the legitimate party.

The decision by the justice ministry to begin the verification
of the Alwi Shihab-led PKB faction in effect recognizes that
faction as the legitimate PKB. This paves the way for the faction
to take part in the 2004 legislative elections and to receive Rp
16 billion in government funds.

The Supreme Court earlier issued a ruling that also favored
the Alwi Shihab camp.

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said
on Tuesday the decision was made "based on legal considerations",
brushing aside suggestions it was politically motivated.

"The ministry has decided to begin the verification process
for the party led by Pak Alwi Shihab, and expects that the legal
efforts being carried out by Pak Matori Abdul Djalil will not
affect this decision," Yusril said.

Yusril was referring to the appeal filed by Matori with the
Supreme Court, asking for a review of the court's decision to
award Alwi Shihab's faction the right to use PKB's name, logo and
anthem.

In other legal maneuverings, the South Jakarta District Court
recently issued a decision suggesting that Matori's earlier
dismissal from the party was groundless.

The Alwi Shihab-led PKB faction appealed the decision to the
Jakarta High Court, which last Friday ruled, "Matori's dismissal
was legal, and therefore he cannot use the party's attributes."

"I believe that the Supreme Court understands that there
cannot be two decisions on the same subject. I hope the court
issues a verdict that does not overrule its first verdict,"
Yusril said, referring to Matori's request for a legal review.

Matori was the chairman of the PKB but was dismissed from the
party after backing a special session of the People's
Consultative Assembly that ousted Abdurrahman Wahid from the
presidency in 2001. Abdurrahman was one of the founders of the
PKB.

The internal rift has hampered the party's registration with
the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, which is a requirement
for participation in the 2004 elections.

Abdurrahman contacted President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
husband Taufik Kiemas, seeking his help in resolving the dispute.
It is not clear whether Taufik had anything to do with the
ministry's decision to verify Alwi's PKB faction.

Alwi, along with other PKB executives, attended a press
conference and expressed satisfaction over the ministry's
decision.

PKB deputy chairman Mahfud M.D. said the decision would enable
the party to contest the 2004 elections, as well as to receive
some Rp 16 billion in funds from the government.

Separately, Matori's lawyer Alamsyah Hanafiah said his client
was considering filing a complaint with the State Administrative
Court against the ministry's decision, arguing that "the legal
battle between the two parties is still ongoing and should not be
halted".