PKB faction has new chairman

JAKARTA: National Awakening Party (PKB) faction chairman in the House of Representatives (DPR) Ali Masykur Musa on Thursday handed over his post to fellow legislator Rodjil Ghufron.

In his speech, Ali issued an apology to the public at large for the failure of the PKB faction to push for the establishment of a committee of inquiry into a Rp 40 billion scandal involving House Speaker and Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung.

PKB Chairman Alwi Shihab said that the failure to set up an inquiry should not be blamed on the PKB alone, but on the DPR as an institution.

Alwi, a former foreign minister, emphasized that the replacement was a routine occurrence and did not link it to the failure to set up the inquiry.

"Ali has been doing his job very well. We appreciate that," said Alwi, who was accompanied by PKB Secretary-General Syaifullah Yusuf.

Alwi boasted that PKB had so far been able to remain solid. --JP