Muhammadiyah backs Amien<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization after
\nNadhlatul Ulama, fully endorsed Chairman of the National Mandate
\nParty (PAN) Amien Rais's presidential bid, but some fear it could
\nupset the delicate political balance in which most large
\nreligious groups remain neutral.<\/p>\n
In a political statement to conclude its plenary session in
\nYogyakarta on Monday, Muhammadiyah emphasized that Amien was the
\ncountry's best hope and the reformist figure was still committed
\nto fully implementing the ideals of reformasi.<\/p>\n
The group called on all its members, PAN supporters and anyone
\nelse who is a reformist to vote for Amien because he was not
\ncorrupt, had a good political vision and was able to put the
\nnation on an international stage, to improve the people's social
\nwelfare and to achieve a better future.<\/p>\n
Muhammadiyah Chairman Syafii Maarif said that with the
\npolitical statement's issuance, his organization had no intention
\nof being involved in practical politics and wanted Muhammadiyah
\nmembers and others to interpret it.<\/p>\n
\"Muhammadiyah fully supports the upcoming legislative and
\npresidential elections and will consistently accept their results
\nbut the people, including Muhammadiyah supporters, know who they
\nwant to lead the nation. Muhammadiyah does not want to be
\ninvolved in practical politics, but Muhammadiyah members will
\nfight all out for Amien's victory in the presidential election,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He said that according to Muhammadiyah, the first ever
\npresidential and vice presidential elections would be an
\nimportant step for democratic development and that momentum would
\nbe used to make changes and salvage the nation from the prolonged
\nmultidimensional crises.<\/p>\n
The Muhammadiyah congress gave no rational and democratic
\nreasons, as to why it gave its full support to Amien, as this
\ncould bring the nation back to the 1955 general elections where
\nparties linked together along ethnic-religious lines and depended
\nfar too much on their own supporters and on party leaders,
\ninstead of their political platforms and programs.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, for similar reasons, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU)
\ncalled on its 40 million supporters to vote for the National
\nAwakening Party (PKB) with former president Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\"
\nWahid as its presidential hopeful.<\/p>\n
NU Chairman Hasyim Muzadi said in Surabaya, East Java, that
\nPKB was NU's political vehicle and NU members and supporters
\nshould fully support the party that had its home base in East
\nJava.<\/p>\n
Asked to comment on NU's political neutrality, Hasyim said:
\n\"We must play a high-level political game. We support PKB but we
\nwon't do it as we did in the past. The political support will
\ncome not from the NU institution but from NU members. NU members
\nwill be obliged to cast their votes for PKB and the latter should
\nrecognize the NU membership of those who give their support to
\nother parties.\"<\/p>\n
Hasyim who is also eyeing the country's top post, said he
\ncould not speak too much about NU's political support for PKB due
\nto fears that he and his possible presidential race would not be
\naccepted by people from other ethno-religious identity groups.<\/p>\n
Cak Anam, chairman of NU East Java provincial chapter, said
\nhis organization would nominate Hasyim as PKB's presidential
\ncandidate if Gus Dur resigned from the race.<\/p>\n
The above political polarization will force small Muslim
\norganizations and the minority groups to seek political
\naffiliation with other parties. The old, but small Masyumi
\norganization are expected to ask members to vote for the Crescent
\nStar Party (PBB).<\/p>\n
Such shallow group identity links are still found in elections
\nin developed countries, but voters in general, back parties which
\noffer realistic programs and are committed to improving their
\nsocial welfare and channeling their political aspirations.<\/p>\n
In a related development, former president B.J. Habibie also
\nmet with Amien in Yogyakarta but there was no confirmation on
\nwhat issues the two were discussing during the meeting.<\/p>\n
Habibie met Amien after he delivered his speech at the
\nMuhammadiyah meeting.<\/p>\n
Amien said Habibie made a courtesy visit and there was no
\npolitical discussion during the meeting.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/muhammadiyah-backs-amien-1447893297",
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