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)