PKB suspends its chief Matori for violating party policy

JAKARTA (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) has suspended its chairman, Matori Abdul Djalil, whom it said disregarded party policy by attending the People's Consultative Assembly's plenary session on Saturday that was boycotted by the party.

The suspension was announced after senior party members consulted with President Abdurrahman Wahid at Merdeka Palace in the late afternoon.

Abdurrahman, who helped found the party, is also head of PKB's advisory council.

Abdurrahman said later in the evening that Matori would be replaced by Alwi Shihab, who was the President's confidant and the minister of foreign affairs.

The President insisted Matori had violated directives forbidding party members from attending the session, which he regarded as "illegal".

"According to the PKB's constitution, the authority lies with the advisory council. Therefore, as head of the council, I have decided to suspend Matori," he said, adding that party branches in several regions have also sought Matori's suspension.

As for the possibility of dismissing Matori from the party, Abdurrahman said it would be discussed by six PKB members namely himself, senior executive member Cholil Bisri, deputy chairman Arifin Junaedi, secretary-general Muhaimin Iskandar, Assembly Deputy Speaker Yusuf Muhammad and Assembly member Ali Masykur Musa.

"This decision has an important national bearing," Abdurrahman said.

Separately, Matori, who is also an Assembly deputy speaker, denied violating party directives.

"I didn't attend the meeting as a PKB member. I was there in my capacity as an Assembly deputy speaker," he argued.

Matori added his attendance would not affect votes taken in the Assembly as the party faction was considered absent.

"So, what did I do wrong? I have an obligation to the nation as one of the Assembly's leaders. The leaders have work to do. I can't be absent," he said.

When asked about PKB's reaction to his attending the plenary session, Matori said he was sure his fellow PKB members, including Abdurrahman, would eventually understand.

"I will explain to them that my presence at the session will not be in conflict with the party's decision to remain absent," he said.

Earlier in the afternoon, PKB deputy secretary-general Chotibul Umam Wiranu said the party in its talks with Abdurrahman also urged the President to declare a state of civil emergency in response to the Assembly's decision to accelerate the special session, which he said violated the 1945 Constitution. (hdn/tso/rms)