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)