PKB still depends greatly on Gus Dur

PKB still depends greatly on Gus Dur

Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Jakarta

The National Awakening Party (PKB) remains much dependent on its
founder Abdurrahman "Dus Dur" Wahid, who has endorsed selected
figures to compete for the party's top job in its congress,
scheduled to begin this weekend.

While Gus Dur has won overwhelming support to maintain his
powerful position as the party's chief patron, he has endorsed
some young figures close to him to vie for the leadership post.

Adhie M. Massardi, a spokesman for Gus Dur, said that Gus Dur
had allowed State Minister for the Development of Disadvantaged
Regions Saifullah Yusuf to join the race, despite their bitter
relationship.

"To vie for the leadership post Saifullah is required to
accept the condition that he will quit the Cabinet and relinquish
his top job in the Ansor Youth Organization should he be elected
PKB leader," Adhie said.

Saifullah, better known as Gus Ipul, is one of Gus Dur's
nephews. Another of Gus Dur's nephews, Muhaimin Iskandar, who is
also a House of Representatives deputy speaker, is another
contender for the PKB leadership.

PKB dismissed Alwi Shibab as the party leader after his
appointment as coordinating minister for people's welfare, while
Saifullah lost his secretary-general post in the PKB due to his
support for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the presidential election
last year, instead of Wiranto as recommended by the PKB.

Gus Dur has endorsed the nomination of Muhaimin, Ali Masykur
Musa and Mahfud MD for the party's number one post.

Yahya C. Staquf, who supports Saifullah's bid, said
Saifullah's camp welcomed the softening stance of Gus Dur, who
previously would endorse only three young figures to contest the
election.

"Saifullah's case is progress. Gus Dur has changed his mind
concerning Saifullah. Gus Dur's latest statement has opened a
chance for Saifullah to compete with other candidates in the
congress," he said.

He said Gus Dur's stance would influence the course of the
congress, which would discuss the party's preparations for the
2009 elections and long-standing issue of duel jobs in the party
and in government.

"But, let the problems be resolved by congress participants
and Gus Dur. Saifullah is waiting to hear what the congress
decides," Staquf said, citing that many PKB chapters had been
reluctant to express their support for Saifullah's candidacy
because of Gus Dur's unclear stance.

PKB standing orders require all candidates for the party's
leadership to the win approval of the elected chairman of the
party's board of patrons.

The three-day congress will opened on Saturday by President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Giri Kusumo boarding school in
Mranggen, Demak regency, some 25 kilometers from Semarang i
Central Java.

Secretary of the event's organizing committee Hermawi
Fransiscus Taslim said the party had allocated Rp 4 billion
(US$421,000) for the congress.

Some 2,750 delegates representing 425 regional branches, 34
provincial chapters and the central executive board will take
part in the congress.