PKB names new deputy for House

Tue, 09 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB | Source: JP

JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) secretary-
general Muhaimin Iskandar was installed on Monday as deputy
chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR) replacing Khofifah
Indar Parawansa, following the latter's appointment to the
Cabinet.

Muhaimin was sworn-in by Chief Justice Chairman Sarwata.

At 33, he is one of the youngest DPR members, and certainly
the youngest in the House's leadership. He began his political
career with the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Islamic social
organization which founded the PKB last year.

Khofifah, who also hails from PKB, is 35. Her outspokenness
earned her a Cabinet post as state minister for women
empowerment.

The United Development Party (PPP) has yet to name a successor
to Hamzah Haz as the House's deputy, following his appointment as
coordinating minister for people's welfare and poverty
eradication.

PPP secretary-general Ali Marwan Hanan told Antara that
Hamzah, who is also PPP's chairman, had promised to name his
successor in the DPR, but by Monday he had not made known his
choice.

Ali and former PPP secretary-general Tosari Wijaya were
believed to be the main candidates for the post of deputy
speaker.

Ali had originally been nominated for the post during a party
meeting last month, but in the absence of a consensus the party
leadership decided to give the post to Hamzah Haz. "During that
meeting, Tosari's nomination was submitted in writing signed by
several members," Ali said.

Arguing for his candidacy, Ali said the post should be given
to someone not affiliated to the NU, saying that a number of NU
politicians had already taken up various strategic posts.

Hamzah and Zarkasih Nur, who is state minister for
cooperatives, small and medium enterprises, are both affiliated
to NU, as is Tosari Wijaya.

NU is one of four Islamic parties that were merged into the
PPP in 1972. The organization pulled out of the PPP in 1984
because of discord with the other factions. Last year, NU
encouraged the establishment of the PKB. (02)

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