PAN Has New General Chairman

Nusa Dua, Bali (Antara) - Zulkifli Hasan was named new general chairman of the country\'s 5th largest political party the National Mandate Party (PAN) for the next five years after defeating incumbent Hatta Rajasa in an election here on Sunday night. Zulkifli, who is chairman of the country People\'s Consultative Assembly (MPR), garnered 292 votes only slightly over Hatta\'s 286 votes in a two men contest. The election was held in a closed door voting by 582 participants of the congress with four votes declared invalid. Chairman of the steering committee Taufik Kurniawan declared Zulkifli as the new general chairman after approval from the participants of the congress. (*)