PPP Reform to be declared on Jan. 20

The United Development Party of Reform (PPP Reformasi), a splinter group of the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP), has registered itself with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights as a legitimate political party.

Djafar Badjeber, chairman of the Jakarta provincial chapter of PPP who is among the sponsors of the new party, said the registration took place on Tuesday and would be followed by an official declaration on Jan. 20.

"We are moving forward the date of the declaration, initially set for Jan. 27, since we find that a claim by PPP of possible islah (reconciliation) between PPP and PPP Reformasi is just empty talk," said Djafar, who is also a Jakarta councillor.

Djafar said pressure had been mounted by 200 legislative council members at regency level from at least 29 provinces nationwide for the establishment of the new party "as soon as possible".

PPP, which finished third in the 1999 elections, is chaired by Hamzah Haz, who is also vice president.

PPP Reformasi is led by noted Muslim cleric Zainuddin MZ.

Supporting Djafar's statements were Zainal Maarif, PPP Central Java branch deputy chairman, and Saleh Khalid, deputy secretary- general of PPP.

Zainuddin is scheduled to inaugurate the PPP Reformasi, along with Saleh, Djafar, Zainal and the head of PPP's Yogyakarta provincial chapter, Fawzi AR, at the Hotel Atlet Century Park in Central Jakarta.

The split followed demands lodged by Zainuddin and PPP's Young Turks to change the party's board of executives before the 2004 general elections.

Hamzah has questioned the splinter group's move to exploit the issue of syariah (Islamic law), as its reason to break away from the party. The splinter group supporters are known for their softer stance on syariah than PPP. -- JP