Amien's 'axis force' gets broad support<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political observers gave a vote of confidence
\nto the newly emerging political force Amien Rais established to
\noffset the current polarization between those who support
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri and those who back incumbent President
\nB.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
Mochtar Mas'oed of Gadjah Mada University here said the new
\nforce, called the axis force, could win the presidential
\nelection, although the group's very plurality could cause it
\ndifficulties.<\/p>\n
The initiative for the so-called axis force came from National
\nMandate Party (PAN) chairman Rais, who was able to attract to the
\ngroup at least eight political parties which, individually, did
\nnot fare well in the June 7 general election. Together, however,
\nthe parties command at least 168 seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives. Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) controls 154 seats in the House, and
\nGolkar, the party which made Habibie its presidential nominee,
\nhas 120 House seats.<\/p>\n
\"The (new force) would be able to form a solid faction in the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly,\" Mochtar said. \"Amien would have
\na great chance at the next presidency because he is so far the
\nbiggest selling point of the force.\"<\/p>\n
Mochtar said Amien's recent remark that Abdurrahman Wahid
\nwould be the force's presidential candidate was only a tactic to
\nwin the sympathy of the members of Abdurrahman's Nahdlatul Ulama
\n(NU), the country's largest Muslim organization. \"Amien is the
\nmost representative figure.\"<\/p>\n
Amien made the remark during a gathering in Jakarta on Sunday
\nof the leaders of the eight major political parties. Abdurrahman,
\nbetter known as Gus Dur, however, reiterated his support for
\nMegawati as president.<\/p>\n
Indria Samego of the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI)
\nsaid on Monday in Jakarta the axis force was a democratic effort
\non the part of Islam-based parties to challenge Habibie and
\nMegawati for the presidency.<\/p>\n
The ongoing rivalry between the camps of Habibie and Megawati
\nhas created too great a polarization and could be seen as being
\nincompatible with Indonesian culture, which prefers harmony,
\nIndria said.<\/p>\n
Therefore, those groups with considerable numbers of followers
\nare driven to form alternative powers, he said.<\/p>\n
\"As long as their maneuver is democratic it is acceptable,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz made clear
\non Monday in Bogor that those in the axis force would not support
\nHabibie in the upcoming presidential election.<\/p>\n
Crescent Star Party (PBB) chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra said
\nthe intent of the new force was not to obstruct Megawati's
\npresidential bid. \"It's just a democratic development.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, political expert Cornelis Lay of Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity criticized Habibie for seeking the presidency despite
\nhis earlier promise that he would only serve as a transitional
\npresident and guide Indonesia to the general election.
\n(05\/23\/24\/44)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/amiens-axis-force-gets-broad-support-1447893297",
"image": ""
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