Gus Dur's PKB to challenge verdict at Supreme Court

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 06/16/2008 10:03 AM | Headlines

The Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid-led faction of the National Awakening Party (PKB) is set to go to the Supreme Court to challenge a court verdict favoring its rival.

"We are ready to submit the memorandum of appeal to the Supreme Court on Monday," said PKB chairman Ali Masykur Musa during a discussion held by the party here Sunday.

Ali said the Gus Dur camp had no doubts in continuing a legal battle against the dismissed chairman Muhaimin Iskandar.

Muhaimin was dismissed in April at the request of Gus Dur, the party's chief patron who is also Muhaimin's uncle. Ever since, the PKB has been divided into two camps, one led by Ali who is loyal to Gus Dur and the other led by Muhaiman, the House of Representatives deputy speaker.

Muhaimin, has joined forces with dismissed PKB secretary-general Lukman Edy, has been fighting his dismissal, including by filing a lawsuit against the Gus Dur faction in early May. Last Thursday, the South Jakarta District Court ruled in favor of Muhaimin and Lukman.

Ali called the verdict odd, saying as it was not in line with the facts. "The judges ruled a mismatch decision."

He cited the allegation in the lawsuit that Muhaimin's dismissal went against the party's statutes because it was not conducted in a plenary session.

"We proved to the court that the meeting in which Muhaimin was dismissed was a plenary session; and the court accepted our explanation," Ali said.

He also questioned the legal consideration of the judges to accept Lukman's lawsuit.

"Keep in mind that the letter dismissing Lukman was signed by Muhaimin. So, in this case Muhaimin was a defendant, but the court did not view him this way," Ali said.

Despite the verdict, Ali told PKB lawmakers, executives and state officials in attendance to remain optimistic.

"The South Jakarta District Court's verdict is not legally binding. We must be convinced we will win the appeal at the Supreme Court," he said.

Gus Dur, who also attended the discussion, said his camp had no intention of reconciling with Muhaimin's.

The PKB has automatically passed the administrative screening for contesting the 2009 general elections, as it has 52 seats at the House. The Supreme Court's verdict will determine which camp may submit a list of legislative candidates to the General Elections Commission. (alf)

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