"I can assure you that there has never been any discourse so far or talks on replacing the present general chairman," Marzuki Alie, the deputy chairman of the party`s advisory board, said.
Jakarta (Antara News) - A ruling Democratic Party figure denied that the party would replace its present general chairman, Anas Urbaningrum.

"I can assure you that there has never been any discourse so far or talks on replacing the present general chairman," Marzuki Alie, the deputy chairman of the party`s advisory board, said here on Thursday when asked about the rumor at the parliament building.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently took over the running of the political party to allow Anas to concentrate on dealing with his legal problems.

Anas has been beleaguered by reports about his alleged involvement in a corruption case.

Marzuki, who is also Indonesia`s House Speaker, called on the public and the media to be careful on rumors about the party`s internal problems.

"We will indeed conduct cleansing but it will only be done after there is a legal decision. With regard to Anas`s status so far there has not been any legal decision about it. He has not even been named a witness. So, please do not create a discourse or stories as if he will indeed be replaced," he explained.

"Once again, I confirm that there is no plan of replacing the present general chairman," he said.

Marzuki also denied rumors that Anas would be replaced by Pramono Edi Wibowo, the current army chief of staff and Yudhoyono`s brother in law, or Mahfud MD, the Supreme Court chief justice, saying it was completely a lie.

"It was just rumor coming from those who raised the names on speculation to increase tension. We, from especially the party`s supreme council, confirm that there is no such things," he said.

On Anas`s plan to sign the integrity pact required for all party cadres by the party`s chief patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, he said it was Anas`s obligation as part of party cadres.

"All cadres are required to sign the pact as a form of their commitment to returning to the party`s real character which is a clean party. I think according to Jero Wacik (advisory board member) all cadres in the branches have already signed it," he said.

Marzuki denied that Anas had rejected to sign the pact saying that the delay occurred just because the notification was late.

"The executive board has been late because it has so far concentrated on summoning regional board members for it. I myself just signed it yesterday. It has gone smoothly," he said.

He said party cadres have been obliged to sign the ten-point pact presented recently by Yudhoyono to build a unified view to save the party whose popularity has dropped following the involvement of some of its cadres in corruption cases.

"All cadres must do it. If they do not agree with it they had better leave because we want to save the party. And so it has nothing to do with positions," Marzuki said, adding that all cadres had agreed to sign the pact.

The pact was issued following a meeting of party leaders held by Yudhoyono at his residence on February 8.

Indonesia plans to hold general elections in 2014.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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