PAN must change image, Amien tells supporters<\/p>\n
Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang<\/p>\n
Entering its second national congress, the National Mandate Party
\n(PAN) has to renew its image as a nationalist party which is open
\nto people of different backgrounds to maintain its existence and
\nto improve its luck in the 2009 general election, according to
\noutgoing PAN leader Amien Rais.<\/p>\n
\"This second congress must be able to change PAN's image as an
\nurban party belonging to a certain elite group. In the coming
\nyears, the party must come down to reach the people in the middle
\nclass and the grassroots level to maintain its existence,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Speaking before 2,000 party cadres, Amien said he would no
\nlonger contest the current race for the party's leadership, but
\nwould let young and fresh figures lead the party in the coming
\nfive years.<\/p>\n
\"Nevertheless, my mind and heart will remain in the party and
\nI will fully support whoever is elected to lead the party,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said that despite some failures, the party he co-founded in
\n1998 had contributed a lot in pushing the national reform agenda
\nand in developing democracy.<\/p>\n
\"We have amended the 1945 Constitution, reviewed the law to
\nallow direct presidential elections and election of local
\ngovernment heads, implemented regional autonomy and established
\nthe necessary institutions to develop a true democracy and to
\neradicate the culture of corruption.<\/p>\n
\"But, I take responsibility for my failure in the direct
\npresidential election, which required not only a good personality
\nand a real political platform, but mainly, much money,\" said
\nAmien who along with running mate Siswono Yudhohusodo was
\ndefeated in the presidential election last year.<\/p>\n
He said he was confident he would still be reelected if he
\njoined the current election for the party leadership, \"but this
\nwill not be healthy for the party which is waiting for young
\nleaders.\"<\/p>\n
So far, six PAN cadres have confirmed their candidacy for the
\nparty's top post soon after Amien announced he was not joining
\nthe race.<\/p>\n
The six are Soetrisno Bachir, Hatta Radjasa, Didik J. Rahbini,
\nMoeslim Abdurrahman, Fuad Bawazier and Afni Achmad.<\/p>\n
Alvin Lie, a senior member of PAN and a member of the House of
\nRepresentatives, was seen flying a hang glider over the Simpang
\nLima field in Semarang where the party held Thursday's rally.<\/p>\n
Alvin's move drew the attention of Amien and his audience.
\nAmien stopped speaking for a moment and asked the audience to
\nwatch Alvin as he maneuvered in the sky carrying a banner reading
\nHR, the initials Hatta Radjasa, in support for Hatta's candidacy.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, former secretary-general of PAN Faisal Basri said
\nit would be a sad development if the congress elected Fuad or
\nSoetrisno whom he said did not have the competence to lead the
\nparty.<\/p>\n
Soetrisno said he was optimistic about winning the election
\nsince he had visited PAN's regional branches over the last three
\nmonths to win their support.<\/p>\n
The three-day congress was scheduled to conclude on April 10.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pan-must-change-image-amien-tells-supporters-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }