PPP to Act Against Rebellious Party Officials

Jakarta (Antara) - Secretary general of the United Development Party (PPP) M Romahurmuziy said the party would act firmly against its rebellious officials. The central executive board of the Islamic party has fired its general chairman Suryadharma Ali, a corruption suspect, with a majority votes in a meeting on Sept 9. Former Minister for Religious Affairs Suryadharma, who is named a corruption suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was replaced by his deputy. Suryadharma and a number of his supporters, however, rejected the decision calling it illegal. He said he could only be dismissed with a decision of a national congress which is to be held next year. He retaliated by announcing the dismissal of Romahurmuziy and a number of other party leaders that voted for his dismissal. Romahurmuziy had said Suryadharma had violated the party statute by throwing support for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto without prior approval of its executive board. "But the main reason is that his being a corruption suspect is a disgrace to the party," he said. (*)