PKB chapters defy leaders' policy

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The central executive board of the National Awakening Party (PKB) suffered another blow on Wednesday as its provincial chapter here declared its recognition of new president Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Mutiny in the ranks also took place in Surabaya as PKB faction at the East Java provincial legislature has maintained its existence despite the party's decision to suspend its factions at both the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and House of Representatives (DPR).

Acting chairman of PKB's South Sulawesi chapter Abdurrahman K told a press conference in the provincial capital of Makassar that the chapter accepted the results of the MPR special session that ousted Abdurrahman Wahid as the president and appointed his deputy Megawati as his successor on Monday.

"We accept the results of the MPR special session, including the appointment of Megawati as the country's fifth president. What has happened is a tribulation and we will behave like a gentleman in accepting the reality," Abdurrahman said.

The chapter executives also suggested that the party reconsider its withdrawal from MPR and DPR and act as the government's opposition group.

In its executive meeting to respond to the MPR special session on Tuesday, PKB suspended its factions in the MPR and DPR in response to the presidential decree issued by then president Abdurrahman Wahid that included the suspension of the two legislative bodies.

The executive meeting at the party's headquarters was also attended by chapter leaders across the country.

PKB boycotted the MPR special session, saying that it was unlawful and unconstitutional.

Deposed president Abdurrahman is PKB's chief patron.

In Surabaya, the party's East Java chapter decided not to follow in the footsteps of its central executive board.

The decision came after over four hours of debate among the chapter officials, which ended around 2 p.m.

Chairman of the PKB faction at the provincial legislature Fathorrasdjid, however, said the stance could change if the party's branches in regencies across East Java demanded another course of action.

"Basically we do not wish to waste the seven million votes given to us in the 1999 elections. Besides, our field of struggle is in the legislative body," Fathorrasdjid said.

He said the ouster of Abdurrahman Wahid would enable the PKB faction to mount criticism against the government for policies considered incompatible with the reform movement.

"By becoming an outsider, we can speak loudly if we discover irregularities, although we may lose in the vote. But we will not disappoint our constituents," Fathorrasdjid said as quoted by Antara.

When asked whether the policy reflected the chapter's acceptance of Megawati as the president, Fathorrasdjid was cautious.

"We will continue our struggle in a peaceful manner. We have a lot of ammunition with which to face the new government," he said. (27)