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PPP's national congress greeted with doubts on legality
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Reconciliation: The secretary-general of the United Development Party central executive board, which was formed during a muktamar (national congress) in Jakarta in November 2014, Dimyati Natakusumah (center), talks to journalists on the sidelines of a visit by party members to the Law and Human Rights Ministry in Jakarta in January. Dimyati on Wednesday called into question the legality of a national working meeting in Ancol, North Jakarta. (Kompas.com/Abba Gabrillin)
T
he United Development Party (PPP) kicked off its fourth mukernas (national working meeting) on Wednesday, drawing protests from internal parties, which questioned the legality of the event.
Dimyati Natakusuma, the secretary-general of the PPP central executive board, which was elected at a muktamar (national congress) in Jakarta in 2014, called into question the legality of the meeting, which took place in Ancol, North Jakarta.
“I just contacted Pak Suryadharma. He didn’t mention anything about the congress. He didn’t approve it. There should be no congress,” Dimyati told journalists at the House of Representatives complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday. He referred to former religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali, who was appointed PPP chairman, accompanied by Muhammad Romahurmuziy as secretary-general, at a national meeting in Bandung, West Java, in 2011.
The Ancol congress was organized by the PPP leadership from the Bandung muktamar, following the issuance of a Law and Human Rights Ministry decree on Feb.16, which reactivated a previous decree recognizing the party leadership from the Bandung muktamar. The decree was applauded as a wise move to end internal conflicts between the Djan Faridz-led PPP leadership, which emanated from the Jakarta muktamar, and the party’s splinter faction elected during a meeting in Surabaya, East Java, in 2014, which was led by Romahurmuziy.
Representatives of PPP regional executive boards from across the country, the party’s executives, members and advisory council members will attend the working meeting.
Dimyati said the congress must be well organized and should have steering and organizing committees. He added that although Suryadharma was serving a sentence at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detention facility, he should participate in the Ancol congress as the party chairman.
According to the PPP's rules of association and internal bylaws, a mukernas is the party's second highest forum after a muktamar.
PPP deputy chairman Hasrul Azwar said on Tuesday that the working meeting would determine the organizing of the party’s eighth muktamar, which is scheduled for April.
He said representatives of regional executive boards from 32 provinces had confirmed their attendance at the congress. A number of current issues, such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement, alcohol control, corruption prevention, and the fights against drugs and terrorism would be discussed during the congress, Hasrul said.
Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo is set to open the congress while Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly is scheduled to attend a session at the event. (ebf)
