PKB to ask SBY to open congress

JAKARTA: The National Awakening Party (PKB) said on Friday it would ask President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to open its congress in Semarang next month, despite the party's opposition to Susilo's fuel hike policy.

"We need to keep things separate here. We oppose his policy because we feel it goes against the best interests of the public, but we are inviting him to open the congress because he is the President," PKB leader Mahfud MD said.

If Susilo does open the PKB congress, it will be the first time he has opened a party congress since taking office last year.

A number of other parties, including the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI- P), are also scheduled to hold congresses this year. -- JP