Yaqut Cholil The Value Of The PKB Congress In Jakarta Is Not A Match For Bali, It's Legitimate To Do It

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas when interviewed at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday (2/9/2024). (ANTARA/Bagus Ahmad Rizaldi)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas assessed that it would be fine if there was another National Awakening Party Congress (PKB) in Jakarta even though previously there had been a PKB Congress held in Bali on August 24-25, 2024. "I don't want to mention that, but I think there will be another congress, it's okay," said Yaqut at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Antara, Monday, September 2. He said that there was no counter congress but what was there was "a congress again". He also heard that there were many parties who were disappointed with the PKB Congress which was held in Bali. "As stated by the initiator of the congress which was supposed to be on September 2 and 3, they said yes, it was the real congress. The version is like that, not a match," he said. Secara mekanisme politik kegiatan tersebut bisa dilakukan, sehingga mungkin saja akan ada Muktamar PKB yang kembali digelar. "Many of them have lost their democratic rights, such as decisions not going through commission meetings, for example. Suddenly it was decided," he said. In addition, he has not yet received an official dismissal letter as a member of the PKB, but he heard that he had lost his membership status from the political party. "Until now I have been waiting. So, if I am fired, I am waiting for his dismissal How?," said the figure from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). On August 24-25, 2024, the PKB which was held in Bali has decided Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin to return to his position as Chairman of the PKB. In addition, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin was also agreed to serve as Chairman of the PKB Syuro Council. Previously (27/8), former PKB Secretary General Lukman Edy said that a different PKB Congress or "competitive congress" would be held on September 2-3 in Jakarta. "We have a plan for the congress that we will make to be opened by PBNU (Large Manager of Nahdlatul Ulama), and later closed by the President," said Lukman at the Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Jakarta.

The congress in Jakarta, according to him, will encourage prospective PKB General Chairperson other than Muhaimin Iskandar who has served for about 20 years to be completed.