Gus Dur-led PKB rejects govt suggestion to reconcile with rival

Jombang, NU Online
The executive board of the Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur-led Nation`s Awakening Party (PKB) continues to reject the government`s suggestion that it reconcile the Muhaimin Iskandar-led PKB, a spokesperson said.

"In PKB we do not subscribe to reconciliation but amnesty. And Gus Dur himself has long offered amnesty to Cak Imin (as Muhaimin Iskandar is popularly called)," secretary general of Gur Dur-led PKB Zannuba Ariffah Chafsoh said at the Tebuireng Islamic boarding school here on Saturday (14/6).<>

Yenny, as Zannuba Ariffah Chafsoh is popularly called, asked the government to understand the meaning of "reconciliation". "Reconciliation means that Gus Dur`s position is equal to Cak Imin`s. Don`t be naive to have an impression as if both camps are right," she said.

Moreover, she added, the Muhaimin camp had obviously fired Gus Dur at its extraordinary congress held in Jakarta some time ago. "Our political vision can no longer be compromised with theirs."

She said if both camps were forced to unite the difference of vision, the dispute within the PKB, would never be resolved. Moreover, Gur Dur differed from Cak Imin about the government`s decision to raise fuel oil prices and the party`s presidential candidate for the 2009 polls.

Although the court had ruled in favor of the Muhaimin Iskandar-led PKB, she said she would challenge the court verdict by appealing to the Supreme Court.

"We have registered the appeal with the Supreme Court. We will submit a memorandum of our appeal to the Supreme Court on Monday (June 16). God willing, we will win," she was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

The South Jakarta District Court overtuned Gus Dur`s decisions to dismiss Muhaimin as party chairman in April this year and Lukman Edy as secretary general last year.

The Gus Dur-led PKB rejected the court`s verdict favoring the Muhaimin Iskandar-led PKB in their legitimacy dispute.

Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday evening, Gus Dur accused the judges at the court to have given in to "pressure from above." (dar)