PPP throws full support behind Jokowi-Kalla

JAKARTA. Amid an internal conflict between two rival factions inside the United Development Party (PPP), embattled chairman Suryadharma Ali has hinted at a change of political direction to support newly inaugurated President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

At a gathering of the party’s provincial-level executive board representatives in Jakarta on Tuesday, the former religious affairs minister said his party would be honored if the President appointed members of his party as ministers in the new Cabinet.

The party’s representation in the Cabinet, he said, may pave the way for the party to leave the Red-and-White Coalition in favor of Jokowi’s coalition.

“It could be the spur to change [direction], but it will be decided in a muktamar [national congress] on Oct. 30,” he said on Tuesday.

The party’s central board split into two factions after Suryadharma decided to support defeated presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his Red-and-White Coalition ahead of July’s presidential election.

Tensions between the two factions increased when Surya-dharma’s faction failed to secure leadership positions for the party in the House of Representatives and the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The rival PPP faction opposing Suryadharma’s leadership became frustrated and made ready to leave the Red-and-White Coalition in the hope of obtaining a ministerial post.

On Oct. 16, the rival faction appointed PPP secretary-general Muhammad Romahurmuziy to become party chairman at a national congress in Surabaya, East Java.

Despite being ostracized by other elements in the party, Romahurmuziy and his followers have vowed allegiance to Jokowi’s coalition.

In a move aimed at hitting back at his party opponents, Suryadharma told the branch representatives Tuesday that rival faction leader Romahurmuziy had been named chairman in an illegal congress.

Claiming to have the support of the party’s sharia board head, Maimoen Zubair, Suryadharma urged the executive board leaders to attend the muktamar on Oct. 30, which is due to take place in Jakarta.

“The DPW [branch representatives] must understand that Romahurmuziy is an illegitimate chairman,” Suryadharma told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting on Tuesday.

Suryadharma, who is a corruption suspect for his involvement in the alleged mismanagement of haj funds, said the party would invite the President and representatives from political parties in the two coalitions, as well as members of Romahurmuziy’s faction.

After the Surabaya congress, PPP deputy chairman Suharso Monoarfa said the party had decided to jump ship and join Jokowi’s coalition, adding that Jokowi had been informed of the decision. The faction pledged to support the coalition’s position on all issues, including the election of regional heads.

“Whereas the Democratic Party said it would act as a balancing power outside the government, we will function as the balancing power inside the government,” Suharso said after the declaration.

Suharso was one of the members of the faction that opposed Suryadharma’s leadership and initiated the national congress along with deputy chairman Emron Pangkapi and Romahurmuziy, who is PPP secretary-general under Suryadharma’s chairmanship.

“Romahurmuziy is welcome to attend [in Jakarta] but he should relinquish his chairman status first, since I am still party chairman,” Suryadharma said Tuesday. (idb)