PPP marks anniversary in conflict
PPP marks anniversary in conflict
PPP on the brink of separation after 29 years
The Jakarta Post, Surabaya/Jakarta
Indonesia's third largest party, the Muslim-based United
Development Party (PPP) which celebrated its 29th anniversary in
Surabaya on Saturday, is close to breaking up.
Its chairman Hamzah Haz, who is also Vice President, refused
demands for an earlier leadership reshuffle to accommodate
up-and-coming younger activists. His rivals, spearheaded by
preacher Zainuddin MZ, vowed to break away and form a splinter
group called PPP Reformasi some time this month.
Zainuddin was absent from the celebrations. The preacher is
one of the party's co-chairmen.
Ade Hidayat, one of his confidantes, said Zainuddin refused to
attend the revelry at Surabaya's Gelora Pancasila Stadium after
Hamzah insisted on postponing the plan for a national leadership
congress from 2003 to 2004.
Under the party's constitution, the next congress to elect a
new PPP leader is scheduled for 2003. Ade refused Hamzah's claims
that the postponement was the wish of most of PPP's regional
branch leaders.
"It's not true. It's only for Mr. Hamzah's own political
benefit in the face of the next general elections in 2004," he
said.
Hamzah denied he intended to "kill democracy" by delaying the
national congress, insisting that the congress was postponed as
requested by regional leaders.
The absence of Zainuddin, an accomplished orator, disappointed
thousands of fanatical supporters of PPP, who packed the sports
stadium in Surabaya, particularly Hamzah and charismatic Muslim
leader Alawi Muhammad from Java's Madura Island.
Alawi was once an outspoken party leader during the 32-year
rule of former dictator Soeharto.
Donning PPP's attributes, dressed in the party's green colors
and carrying banners, the supporters shouted appeals for unity
among their leaders.
"We want Hamzah Haz and Zainuddin MZ united for Ka'bah (the
party's symbol). We wait for your broad-minded spirit, otherwise
PPP will collapse," one banner read.
When addressing the anniversary rally, Hamzah claimed that the
internal bickering was engineered by the party's political
enemies, whom he did not name.
He called for reconciliation with his rivals, saying the
public are tired of seeing endless conflicts among members of the
nation's political elite.
"To have different views is fine but it should not become the
seed of disintegration," he said. "A leader should set a good
example for his members," Hamzah said.
In a futile attempt for reconciliation, Hamzah hosted a
meeting with Zainuddin in Jakarta last week.
Enlivening Saturday's revelry was the admission of several
former military and government officials from Golkar Party, youth
leaders and artists into PPP. They received PPP membership cards.
The new members include former information minister Yunus
Yosfiah, former attorney general Andi Muhammad Ghalib, chairman
of the National Committee of Indonesian Youths (KNPI) Adhyaksa
and former executive of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) Eggy
Sudjana, who is known as a militant Muslim figure.
Other public figures who joined PPP were pop singer Emilia
Contessa and artist Nazar Amir, as well as Muslim cleric Syaiful
Islam of former president Abdurrahman Wahid's National Awakening
Party (PKB).
Also present at the celebrations were chief security minister
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Cooperatives Alimarwan
Hanan, deputy Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) chairman Ahmad Bagja
and senior PKB legislator Taufikkurahman.
The rally was marred by a minor disturbance when supporters
stampeded fencing at the tightly guarded stadium. However, the
situation was swiftly kept under control.