PPP Leader Expected to Attend National Congress

Jakarta, Oct 12 (Antara) - General chairman of the Islamic United Development party (PPP) Suryadharma Ali, who is facing a corruption case, is expected to attend the 7th national congress of the party. Suryadharma, a former religious affairs minister, is facing a legal case, charged with corruption by the Corruption Eradication Commission. Deputy general chairman of the party (PPP) Emron Pangkapi said the presence of Suryadharma Ali and his group is important in the congress in Surabaya from 15-18 October. "The congress would serve as a reconciliation forum to end the difference in opinions among the party leaders," Emron said here on Sunday. The party leaders including 26 regional leaders agreed in a meeting here on Saturday to hold the congress hoping to end rivalry, which has split the party leadership since before the presidential election. Emron and a number of other party leaders protested the decision of Suryadharma to throw support for failed presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto without approval of the party's central executive board. The call for the replacement of Suryadharma grew after he was named a corruption suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that could put him detention cell any time. Emron said Suryadharma is also expected to deliver his accountability report as the general chairman of the party in the 2010-2014 period. Through the congress the party would decide the direction and the policy of the party to be adopted by a new executive board, he said. He said if Suryadharma could not come he could send his accountability report to be read out in the congress. He said the accountability report is the main agenda in the congress, therefore, the presence of Suryadharma is "very much expected." Party secretary general Muhammad Romahurmuziy said the decision to hold the congress is valid approved by more than 50 percent of the regional leaders. "The decision to hold the congress in Surabaya was approved by 26 of 33 regional leaders or more than the quorum," Romahurmuziy said . (*)