PKB suspends its chief Matori for violating party policy

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)