PKB function canceled

PKB function canceled

MAGELANG, Central Java: The local branch of National Awakening
Party (PKB) here has called off a plan to host the party's third
anniversary celebration.

The event's organizing committee chairman, Muhammad Yusuf
Chudlori, cited on Saturday security concerns resulting from the
rift between members of political elite as the reason for the
cancellation.

"Around 15,000 PKB supporters across the province have been
informed of the cancellation three days ago," Yusuf told Antara.

The celebration was slated to be held on Sunday at Magelang
district of Tegal Rejo, with a music performance and a big parade
expected to highlight the event.

He said a number of senior clerics or kyai from the country's
largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama had advised the
organizers not to proceed with the plan in order to avoid
provocation which might later tarnish PKB's name.

"PKB doesn't want any violence to flare up as a result of the
Special Session of People's Consultative Assembly," he said.

PKB cofounder Abdurrahman Wahid was ousted from the presidency
by the Assembly last Monday.

In response, the party suspended its factions at the Assembly
and House of Representatives, pending a congress set to be held
later this week. (bby)