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.