Jakarta – The National Awakening Party (PKB) central board investigation team, formed by dismissed chairman Muhaimin Iskandar, accused seven party members of creating "internal conflict" on Thursday.

Investigation head Nursyahbani Katjasungkana said her team had found clear evidence the seven members had fueled the dispute that resulted in the dismissal of Muhaimin as the party chairman.

"They interfered with and incited the party. They were also responsible for mismanagement, including intimidation and extortion," she said during a press conference.

Nursyahbani was accompanied by PKB executives Abdul Kadir Karding, Bachrudin Nasori, Ahmad Niam Salim and Helmi Faizal Zaini. She refused to give names but the team's secretary Karding spelled out four of the seven members' initials. "They are S, AS, MA and HT," he said.

Asked if "AS" was Artalita Suryani, Nursyahbani would neither confirm nor deny. "We will give a more detailed explanation next week," she said.

Artalita, a former PKB official, has been under the spotlight following her arrest by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for allegedly giving some US$660,000 in bribes to state prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan.

Nursyahbani said the team had received reports from PKB members about the seven officials' misconduct. "Some PKB members said they were suddenly dismissed from their positions without proper explanation. Others who ran for regional elections said they were extorted (by those members)," she said.

That had created internal conflict within the PKB and "therefore, we recommend PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar to take stern action to save the party", she said.

Muhaimin was dismissed as chairman in the party's central board plenary meeting last week. He was dismissed in a vote where 20 of the 30 PKB executive board members asked Muhaimin to resign.

Also in attendance was the party's chief patron Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, who is Muhaimin's uncle. His dismissal was at Gus Dur's request, who claimed he had received a report saying his nephew planned to hold an extraordinary meeting to topple him as party patron. Muhaimin denied the accusation.

The recent PKB conflict is not its first. Gus Dur also had a dispute with former PKB executives Mathori Abdul Jalil, Alwi Shihab and his other nephew Saefullah Yusuf. Mathori passed away last year, while Alwi and Saefullah are no longer in the party.

With a strong hold of East Java, PKB secured 52 legislative seats in the 2004 election. The newly-passed election bill is expected to add give the PKB extra seats in next year's election. (alf)