Central Java behind Anas’ leadership

YOGYAKARTA: Democratic Party leaders in Central Java are pledging allegiance to embattled party chairman Anas Urbaningrum, saying that an extraordinary congress to decide his fate will be unnecessary.

“We will not support the idea of suspending [Anas] and the staging of an extraordinary congress as suggested by some,” said Abdullah, the party’s Purwokerto branch chairman, on Wednesday.

Klaten branch chairman Sunar Nugroho said that there was no reason to unseat Anas as there was no evidence that proved that Anas was involved in graft.

Of the 30 branch chairmen in Central Java, 25 attended a meeting to show support for Anas.

Earlier, Central Java branch secretary Danny Sriyanto said that Anas should step down.

In graft trials, witnesses testified that Anas illicitly benefited from the construction of an athletes’ village for the 2011 SEA Games, worth Rp 191 billion.

Anas has received support from regional branches during visits to Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara, Indramayu in West Java and Pontianak in West Kalimantan. Other branches have shown opposition.

East Kalimantan branch chairman Isran Noor said that Anas must go for the sake of the party.

“We have to admit that the Anas problem has tarnished the image of the party,” he said.