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)