Yusril likely to be reelected PBB chairman

Yusril likely to be reelected PBB chairman

JAKARTA: Yusril Ihza Mahendra looked almost certain to retain
his post as chairman of the Crescent and Star Party (PBB) on
Sunday night despite the threat of a party split.

As of midnight, eligible voters were still casting their
ballots.

The reelection of Yusril, who is also the minister of law and
legislation, was to wrap up the five-day congress held at the Haj
Dormitory in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta. The floor agreed in a
vote earlier on Sunday evening to elect a chairman first before
choosing members of the team of nine to select the party's
executives.

Many believed that the option would close the chance of
Yusril's contenders to take the top job. The elected chairperson
will also chair the nine-member team of selectors.

Other candidates for the top post included Ahmad Sumargono and
Eggi Sujana.

Chairman of the congress's steering committee Rifyal Ka'bah
predicted the new central board would not accommodate the rival
group to avoid further internal conflicts.

"With the decision to choose a chairman first before the
formative team members, I think they (the rival group) will not
be accommodated," Rifyal said.

Representatives of the party's Semarang chapter suggested
earlier that the party chairperson was elected together with the
members of the team.

According to the party's electoral rules, the elected chairman
and the other eight members of the team of selectors are obliged
to complete their job in 30 days after the congress is over.

The renomination of Yusril was met with opposition from 16 of
his chief rivals, who include outgoing deputy chairmen Hartono
Mardjono, Abdul Qodir Djaelani, Farid Prawiranegara and Fadli
Zon. Most of them are House of Representatives legislators.

Without elaborating, Djaelani said that his group viewed the
congress as a violation of the party's internal rulings and
statute.

"We still recognize that the old central board of executives
will remain intact," Djaelani said on Sunday.

He regretted that Yusril had rejecting the congress's call for
reconciliation among the two factions.

He said he and his group did not attend the congress, citing
the lack of a security guarantee.

The group members have not attended the congress since Friday
after being booed by participants who were in favor of Yusril.

Fadli Zon, another outgoing deputy chairman, said on Sunday he
would continue questioning Yusril over Rp 1 billion he received
from former president B.J. Habibie.

"If it (the money) is not clarified, it's possible that we
will take legal action against Yusril," Fadli said.

Rifyal said congress participants had unanimously accepted
Yusril's accountability speech, including his explanation about
the use of the money.

"I think an individual could not sue the party," Rifyal said.

Asked about the boycott from the 16 outgoing executives, he
replied that the group had the right not to attend the congress.

He doubted the group's threat to set up a "rival central board
of executives" would materialize.

The outgoing secretary-general of the party M.S. Ka'ban
regretted the move, which he said was incited by the group's
resentment of Yusril.

"The plan to establish a splinter group from the central board
of executives is regretful. This is a culture inherited from the
New Order," Ka'ban said on Sunday.

During his accountability speech on Friday, Yusril admitted
that the party had received a total of Rp 2.9 billion, including
Rp 1 billion from Habibie, in July 1998.

But by way of defense he said the money was received before
the law on political parties that regulates campaign
contributions was implemented in 1999.

Meanwhile, the congress released several recommendations on
Sunday, including the support for Yusril to resign if President
Abdurrahman Wahid continued with his intention to revoke the
People's Consultative Assembly's Decree No. 25/1966 which bans
communism.

Abdurrahman has repeatedly said the decree should be lifted
since it violated democracy and human rights. He said on Thursday
that the Indonesian Communist Party could remain banned but
communism itself could not be prohibited.

The president's proposal sparked massive protests from Muslim
and rival politicians, who suggested holding a special session of
the Assembly to oust Abdurrahman. (jun)