Syarif Hassan as PD Executive Chairman

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - Newly named ruling Democratic Party (PD) General Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appointed Syarifuddin Hassan as the party's executive chief.

"Although I have been named PD temporary general chairman for the next two years, the organization will be managed by executives," Yudhoyono told a press conference here on Sunday.

Besides appointing Syarif Hassan 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.

"The congress also gave me the mandate to form an electoral board on those who will be named main executives and daily executives. We will announce some of the names today and some others will be made public in Jakarta," Yudhoyono said.

Yudhoyono 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." (IGT)