PKB confirms dissolution of its factions

PKB confirms dissolution of its factions

JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) confirmed on
Tuesday the dissolution of its factions in the House of
Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly, though
there was some dissension on this point.

In a statement read out at the end of its executive meeting
late on Tuesday, the party fell short of declaring its
recognition of Abdurrahman Wahid as president.

"We support Abdurrahman Wahid to continue leading the second
part of the reform struggle by upholding morals, the Constitution
and democracy," the statement, signed by meeting organizers
Arifin Junaidi and Yusuf Muhammad, read.

The party also expressed its concern over the revival of the
authoritarian and undemocratic New Order regime.

The statement said the dissolution of its factions was
effective until party executives convened a congress scheduled
for August next year.

PKB also supported the dismissal of Matori Abdul Djalil as
party chairman. Then president Abdurrahman Wahid, who is the
chief of the PKB's advisory council, on Saturday dismissed
Matori, who is an Assembly deputy speaker.

The meeting, which ended at about 11 p.m., was held at the PKB
headquarters in Kuningan, South Jakarta, in response to the
decree issued by then president Abdurrahman to suspend the
Assembly and the House.

However, cracks were evident in the party, with acting
chairman Alwi Shihab admitting there were differences of opinion
among PKB members regarding Abdurrahman's decree and the
dissolution of the party's factions.

"There are some differences in response to the decree issued
by Gus Dur. Some of us agree that we must dissolve our factions
following the issuance of the decree, while some others disagree.
But I can't reveal our stance right now, as it is still being
discussed," said Alwi, who is also the foreign minister,
referring to Abdurrahman by his nickname.

PKB deputy chairman Zaenal Mahmud hinted that the party's
faction at the Assembly was considering attending the MPR Special
Session on Wednesday, which will elect a new vice president.

He said the decision was not final, but the issue had become
the main topic of discussion at the leadership meeting.

On the dissolution of the Assembly and the House, Zaenal said
the majority of the executive meeting participants considered the
Special Session unlawful.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the PKB faction at the House,
Abdul Cholik Ahmad, said the dissolution of the party's factions
at the Assembly and the House as earlier announced by PKB deputy
secretary-general Chotibul Umam Wiranu was Chotibul's personal
opinion and not the party's official stance.

"The PKB executive board has yet to issue a formal statement
on the dissolution of both factions," Cholik said at the Assembly
building.

Earlier, the PKB factions stated that the Special Session,
which ousted Abdurrahman from the presidency and appointed
Megawati as his successor, was unconstitutional and therefore
they did not recognize its results. The factions also supported
the issuance of the presidential decree on the suspension of the
Assembly and the House.

"As a consequence of the decree, the PKB factions have been
dissolved," Chotibul had said.

Cholik said the PKB factions had not been dissolved, and would
therefore continue working as usual.

On the lineup of the new Cabinet, Cholik said the party had
yet to discuss the issue as the party was still concentrating on
monitoring the ongoing Assembly Special Session.

He, however, indicated that PKB would be pleased if President
Megawati Soekarnoputri included some of its members in her
Cabinet. (tso)