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Kalla calls for PPP reconciliation
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Closing time – Vice President Jusuf Kalla strikes a gong to mark the closing of the eighth United Development Party (PPP) national meeting at the Pondok Gede Dormitory Haj in East Jakarta on Sunday. (Kompas.com/Ihsanuddin)
V
ice President Jusuf Kalla has called on all conflicting parties in the United Development Party (PPP) to reconcile for the sake of the nation.
Speaking on Sunday, the Vice President claimed to have met with Djan Faridz, chairman of the PPP central executive board elected at a muktamar (national congress) in Jakarta in November 2014. He said he had persuaded Djan to accept the results of the eighth muktamar, which was held at the Pondok Gede Haj Dormitory in East Jakarta over the weekend.
At the congress, Romahurmuziy, chairman of the PPP leadership formed at a Surabaya muktamar in October 2014, was re-elected as party chairman by acclamation.
“Yes, I have talked to Pak Djan. Let’s reconcile for the sake of the nation,” said Kalla as quoted by kompas.com after the meeting’s closing ceremony on Sunday.
Kalla said he hoped his efforts would soften Djan’s stance and dissuade him from filing a lawsuit against the organizing of the eighth PPP muktamar.
“He is still considering his decision. There have been some problems in the past but I’m sure this [reconciliation] can be realized,” said Kalla.
In an earlier statement, Djan insisted he would never acknowledge the results of the eighth muktamar, and would press on with a lawsuit against the government for not recognizing his leadership.
In his closing speech, Kalla said the government was tired of internal party spats and was pleased that the PPP was finally to reconcile, a handful of dissenters notwithstanding.
“We should be grateful for the current situation. While some differences remain, we hope all problems can be resolved,” he said.
The weekend's muktamar saw Romahurmuziy elected as PPP chair until 2021.
“Based on approval from all muktamar participants, I hereby proclaim Romahurmuziy party chairman for the 2016-2021 period,” said Suharso Monoarfa, who led the chairman selection process on Saturday evening.
Romahurmuziy later said he had never dreamed of being elected PPP chair at the age of just 41.
“It’s a great honor for me. I never dreamed of leading a party at a young age,” Romahurmuziy said in his acceptance speech.
He added that as one of Indonesia's largest parties, the PPP had to adapt to the era's ongoing changes. “Every leader has his or her own era and every era has its own leader,” he said. (ebf)
