PKB politician's arrest upsets leaders

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: National Awakening Party (PKB) chapter leaders here expressed shock over the recent arrest of one of its legislator candidates, identified as DRW, for being under the influence of drugs.

The 59-year-old politician was nominated by Musi Rawas regency chapter of PKB for the House of Representatives. He was arrested on Tuesday evening along with two women and the candidate's aide in a hotel room in the Grogol area of West Jakarta.

"This is a catastrophe for the party," H.A. Ibrahim Yusuf, acting chapter chairman, told Antara.

PKB secretary-general Muhaimin Iskandar spoke on Thursday of the possibility of dismissing DRW from the party if he was found guilty. (swe)