Three PAN executives deny reports of their resignation

JAKARTA (JP): Three executives of the National Mandate Party (PAN) denied on Friday reports that they were following the footsteps of economist Faisal Basri and resigning from the party.

"The reports are baseless. We are still with the party," said Abdillah Toha, on behalf of colleagues Th. Sumartana and Miranty Abidin, as quoted by Antara.

"In order to avoid a negative impact to the party's day-to day activities, we have to clarify that rumor. We are staying with the party," Abdillah asserted.

Earlier in the week, dozens of senior PAN members claimed that they would soon submit their resignation to the party's executive board as an expression of their disappointment at the party's policies and deviation of its principles.

When asked about Faisal's resignation, Abdillah said that he understood Faisal's decision and the party would consider his resignation.

"To date, Faisal has yet to send a formal letter," Abdillah said while insisting that Faisal's resignation would not weaken the party.

"It is true that there are differences of views (in the party). But because no one in the party is allowed to publish all of these differences, the party leader must be able to manage them well," Abdillah said.

Separately, PAN's deputy secretary-general Bara Hasibuan maintained that several PAN leaders had used the party for their own interests.

"I regretfully have to mention the names, Pak Amien and Pak Fatwa, who have conducted many maneuvers that were never part of the party's policies," Bara said referring to party chief Amien Rais and deputy chairman A.M. Fatwa.

Bara is also said to be one of those planning to tender his resignation.

A foreseeable split shadowed the party during its first congress last year, triggered by the suggestion that the party move from an open one to a Muslim-based one.

The idea drew congress participants into a heated debate, with party executives, including Faisal, Abdillah and Bara, openly rejecting the proposal.

Speaking prior to a discussion on Aceh and Irian Jaya on Wednesday, Goenawan said Faisal's resignation reflected PAN's current dispute over whether it wishes to be an exclusive or inclusive party.

"PAN will strive to choose between becoming a Muslim-based party to gain more votes, or remaining an inclusive party with the consequence of having less votes," Goenawan said.

As one of PAN founders, Goenawan said he would not resign, although he could understand the decision of Faisal and other party members as it was part of the democratic process.

Goenawan said Faisal "is too straight and too honest a man, and can no longer tolerate what's going on in PAN".

"But then again, the art of negotiation is part of democracy. So if you want to be able to negotiate with other parties, you should first learn about negotiating with others inside the party."

In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, PAN deputy chairman A.M. Fatwa asserted that the party "is concerned about the mass resignation plan, but we will not regret those who choose to quit".

"Everybody is free to come and go," he said.(02/27/edt/dja)