Rusydi Hamka named chief of PPP's Jakarta chapter

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has finally recognized Rusydi Hamka as the chief of the Jakarta chapter of the United Development Party (PPP), hoping that the move will end the bitter leadership rift within the political organization.

As a token of recognition, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja granted Rusydi a formal audience on Tuesday, in which the official reiterated his hope that the party's leaders will be able to solve their differences without government intervention.

"The governor congratulated me and the (leadership) problem is considered settled," Rusydi told reporters after meeting with Surjadi at the gubernatorial office.

Rusydi said he would bury the hatchet with his political arch rival Arifin Arbain, who has formed a rival board of executives to demonstrate his opposition to Rusydi's leadership.

The crisis within PPP's Jakarta chapter developed after a local congress failed to elect its new chairman in January this year. The party's central executive board intervened in February and appointed Rusydi as the chairman.

The central board's move was met with strong opposition from numerous senior local leaders, who then formed a rival board under the chairmanship of Arifin, who claimed he obtained the most support at the congress.

To sooth Arifin's hard feelings, the chairman of PPP's central executive board Ismail Hasan Metareum gave Arifin a post as deputy chief of PPP's Jakarta chapter.

To show that he was sincere about reconciliation, Rusydi promised he would not sack any of his rivals from representation at the City Council.

"I have no intention to withdraw any of those (PPP councilors) who were opposed to my leadership," he said as quoted by Antara.

Party chapter secretary Suadi said that 22 rebel PPP members have pledged allegiance to Rusydi.

Rusydi added the party's Jakarta chapter will hold a conference aimed at strengthening consolidation in August.

The Moslem-oriented party is considering setting a limit on how many times a PPP member can be re-elected as a councilor.

The Indonesian Democratic Party has determined that its legislators can be re-elected only once. (pan)