Muhammad Kiblat, Makassar – The leadership crisis plaguing the United Development Party (PPP) broke down further at the weekend after two factions faced off at a meeting to declare a replacement for ousted chairman Suryadharma Ali.

Members of the PPP's South Sulawesi chapter – loyal to secretary general M. Romahurmuziy and acting chairman Emron Pangkapi – barged into a meeting held by Suryadharma's supporters in Hotel Singgasana, Makassar, on Saturday.

Suryadharma's camp, including deputy chairman Dimyati Natakusuma and deputy Secretary General Yunus Razak, had convened at the hotel to declare former Public Housing Minister Djan Faridz as the new chairman.

However, local party members put an end to the declaration, which they described as "illegal" and "unethical", after they stormed into the meeting room and shut it down.

PPP South Sulawesi chapter chief Amir Uskara said Suryadharma did not have authority to hold the meeting in the party's name, especially as his backers had not informed local PPP leaders.

Amir said all members of the party's South Sulawesi chapter supported acting chairman Emron Pangkapi.

"Emron is the most suitable member to replace SDA [Suryadharma]... You can hold an event, but not here in South Sulawesi," he said.

The dispute is the latest in the party rift, which followed the dismissal of Suryadharma after he was named a graft suspect by the country's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

It is alleged Suryadharma, as minister of religious affairs, embezzled funds for the hajj, the annual pilgrimage that Muslims are required to undertake to Mecca.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/ppp-dispute-continues-protest-ends-makassar-meeting/