PKB warned of possible fallout in 2004

PKB warned of possible fallout in 2004

SURABAYA, East Java: A political analyst warned the National
Awakening Party (PKB) of the possible fallout in the 2004
elections should it continue to turn a deaf ear to advice from
ulemas at the grass roots.

Analyst M. Asfar, from state-run Airlangga University, said
that his three months of research had indicated to him that
ulemas, who are also the party's main patrons, had begun to show
dismay at a number of the party's policies.

He cited as an example the recent reelection of East Java
Governor Imam Utomo, in which party leader Abdurrahman Wahid had
turned down candidates endorsed by ulemas in the province.

"As a result, some of the clerics began to flirt with PKB's
rival, the United Development Party (PPP)," he said, referring to
the Islamic-leaning party of Vice President Hamzah Haz.

He was quick to add that PPP was not the only party that might
benefit from PKB internal rifts. "Other secular parties like
Golkar have also been trying to woo the ulemas." -- JP