PPP chapter members want recognition

PPP chapter members want recognition

JAKARTA (JP): Dissenting members from the United Development
Party (PPP) Jakarta chapter yesterday demanded that the central
executive board recognize its chairman.

Arifin Arbain, who said he was legitimately elected during the
recent chapter meeting, told the press that he has met with PPP
Chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum, but has not secured his support.

"I asked for an audience during which I sought his
recognition," Arifin said. "The chairman promised that the
central executive board would meet soon and discuss recognition
of this chapter's leadership."

Arifin and his supporters claimed victory at the election
during the chapter's congress early this month, beating Rusjdi
Hamka, the candidate fielded by Ismail Hasan's Central Executive
Board.

Ismail Hasan had annulled the elections results on grounds
that the leadership should have full support of the floor.

The chairmanship became vacant following the appointment of
the previous chairman, Djufrie Asmoredjo, to the central
executive board last year.

Ismail Hasan also announced that the central executive board
has taken matters of the Jakarta chapter leadership into its own
hands after the election failed to produce an outright winner.

Arifin and his deputy, Mohammad Rodja, expressed optimism that
the board would rule in their favor eventually.

"Buya (Father) Ismail may not recognize us yet, but he
received me and he didn't say that he does not recognize my
chairmanship," Arifin said.

Rodja, who dominated the press briefing and appeared to be
more ready with answers as to what the dissenters plan to do
afterward, was also optimistic. He said the chapter will go on
seeking "rightful ways" to get the recognition.

Rodja said he believes that the problem lies more with
Djufrie, who had been insisting on the appointment of Rusjdi,
rather than with Ismail Hasan.

He even accused Djufrie of scheming against Ismail Hasan.

"We're very concerned," Rodja said. "We are suspicious that
this whole mess has been engineered by Djufrie who wishes to
destroy the legitimacy of Ismail Hasan's leadership."

Arifin said that even without the recognition of the central
board, he and his colleagues have the right to lead the chapter
based on the outcome of the vote by the election council at the
congress.

Arifin had the endorsement of three of the five council
members who cast their ballots at the election. Two council
members, including Djufrie, abstained during the voting.

Yesterday, Arifin and his colleagues issued a political
statement using the name and letterhead of PPP's Jakarta chapter.

In the statement, the chapter said it supported the recent
statement by Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat that
the government would never recognize illegitimate, rival boards
in any political organization.

The group claimed that its establishment was a reflection of
the government's wish to uphold democracy.

Ismail Hasan, who was reelected to the PPP chairmanship for a
second five-year term last August, has been busy touring the
nation over the last two months to oversee the elections of PPP
chapter leaders in 27 provinces. Jakarta, so far, appears to be
the only chapter where he has encountered a problem. (swe)