Yudhoyono Unifier Of Democratic Party

Jakarta, April 1 (Antara) - Political analyst Yunarto Wijaya of Charta Politika said that the appointment of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the general chairman of the ruling Democratic Party (PD) could serve as a unifier of the party`s cadres. "The name of Yudhoyono as a general chairman could serve as a unifier, at least the extraordinary congress has been held without any conflict," Yunarto Wijaya said when contacted here on Monday. He said that as a general chairman on one hand, and as the president of the Republic of Indonesia on the other, Yudhoyono should be supported by people who could focus on the party`s internal matters through the party`s executives. However, the naming of Syarif Hasan, who is also cooperatives and small and medium enterprises minister, as the executive chairman could raise public criticism, he said. "Yudhoyono was trying to find solutions by appointing party executives, but the persons he chose were state officials, and this could raise criticism because state duties are heavy," the political analyst said. He said that party cadres should work harder so that the party could compete in the 2014 legislative elections and presidential race. Yunarto said that there was optimism that the election of Yudhoyono and party executives would end internal conflict which could pose a threat to the nation`s political stability. "When he was elected by acclamation, political conflict could be ended, or at least could be localized within the party," he added. Yudhoyono was elected general chairman of the ruling party in its extraordinary congress in Bali on Saturday. Besides appointing Syarif Hasan as the party`s executive chairman, Yudhoyono also appointed Marzuki Alie as deputy chairman of the PD`s supreme council, replacing Anas Urbaningrum, and EE Mangindaan as executive chairman of the party`s board of patrons. Yudhoyono has said that the party could now carry out its activities based on its function and based on "what I have told the people that I would continue to concentrate on state duties." The extraordinary congress was held to elect the party`s new chief after former chief Anas Urbaningrum resigned following his naming as a suspect in a corruption case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The election is important because by law only party`s chief is allowed to sign the list of legislative candidates that should be submitted to the General Elections Commission (KPU) soon before the legislative elections in 2014.