Working Meeting to Determine Political Inclination of PPP: Emron

Jakarta (Antara) - Deputy general chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) Emron Pangkapi said the political orientation of the Islamic based party would depend on the decision of its national working meeting to be held from September 23 to 24 this year. "The position of PPP at present remains within the Red and White coalition," Emron Pangkapi said here on Wednesday. The Red and White Coalition is a coalition of a number of political parties supporting presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo later lost in the presidential election on July 9 facing rival candidate Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo. Earlier at an executive meeting of the party here, named Emron Pangkapi as the care taker general chairman, after the party dismissed general chairman Suryadharma Ali. Suryadarma had been criticized for declaring PPP support for presidential candidate Parbowo Suybianto of the Gerindra Party without approval of the party executive board. Suryadarma's declaration of support was more as personal decision. Call for Suryadarma dismissal was stronger after he was named a corruption suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission and the loss in the presidential election of the Red and White Coalition under Prabowo. Being a corruption suspect Suryadarma was considered to have damaged the reputation of the party, party secretary general Roamurmuzly said. Emron said the National Working Meeting will discuss three main agenda -- to confirm his position as the caretaker general chairman, set the date for national congress and determine the political orientation of the party. (*)