PKB proving itself to be inclusive, pluralistic party<\/p>\n
The National Awakening Party (PKB) failed to resolve its
\ninternal conflict during its recent congress in Semarang, Central
\nJava. The inclusiveness political party, which has strong links
\nto the world's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama,
\nhowever attracts many non-Muslim people. The Jakarta Post's
\nSuherdjoko talked to businessman\/activist Hermawi Fransiscus
\nTaslim about the party on the sidelines of the congress. These
\nare some of the key excerpts of the conversation.<\/p>\n
Question: Do you think you, as a Catholic, are accepted in the
\nPKB, which is predominantly Muslim?<\/p>\n
Answer: I'm really surprised at the way they accepted me. (He
\nwas elected as one of PKB deputy secretary-generals) I thought
\nthat it would take quite a while for me to be accepted in a non-
\nCatholic party. However, after joining the party a few months
\nago, I was put on the central board of executives.<\/p>\n
How could this happen? Was it because of the role you played
\nor was it thanks to the party's open nature?<\/p>\n
I am also surprised that they so easily accept newcomers. This
\nmight also be a weakness of the party. Outsiders can easily
\ninfiltrate the party. However, they just take it easy about this
\nmatter. Once, a newcomer was quickly accepted into the party. I
\nasked them why they (the top clerics in the PKB) had no doubts
\nabout welcoming me. Instead, they told me, \"We accepted you in
\nthe same way (as any other Muslim member), didn't we?\"<\/p>\n
Could you share an experience that can prove that the PKB is
\nreally a pluralistic party?<\/p>\n
Yes, for example in East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara,
\nPapua, Maluku and North Sumatra, every time a Christian-based
\nexecutive board -- either at a provincial or regency level -- is
\ninstalled, the ceremony always starts with a Christian service.
\nIn Java, such a ceremony is always preceded by the reciting of
\nKoran. Is this enough proof?<\/p>\n
I had my personal experiences about this when I was in South
\nSumatra. It was Sunday. I was in a car. Suddenly, the driver
\nstopped the car. Then my Muslim friends told me that we were
\nclose to a Catholic church. They let me go to mass. It was really
\nunexpected.<\/p>\n
Then during the formation of the executive board of the party
\nin Mamasa in Sulawesi, the Muslims asked that the board should
\nalso include non-Muslims. The initiative came from them.<\/p>\n
Given this pluralism, do you think the PKB can develop in non-
\nMuslim regions?<\/p>\n
Of course. Abdurrahman Wahid (former president and former NU
\nchairman) is known as an anti-discrimination figure.<\/p>\n
This gives a strong influence to the party. In my opinion, the
\nPKB is a nationalist-religious political party.<\/p>\n
Take, for example, the seats that the party has collected in
\nthe regional legislative assembly in East Nusa Tanggara. The
\nparty garnered a 12-fold increase in votes over the 1999
\nelection. In that predominantly Christian province, 28 of the
\nmembers of the regional legislative assembly members from the PKB
\nare either Protestant or Catholic. In Sangir Talaud, North
\nSulawesi, the chief of the party's executive board is a Catholic
\npriest. Eleven provinces in largely non-Muslim eastern Indonesia
\naccepted the party. This means that the PKB can develop in non-
\nMuslim regions.<\/p>\n
In your experience, is this the best way to develop the PKB in
\nnon-Muslim regions?<\/p>\n
Of course. The PKB tries to adapt itself with the culture in
\neach region. In this way, the local community can easily accept
\nthe party. Please read the party's articles of association and
\ninternal rules. Therein lies the spirit of equality and anti-
\ndiscrimination, and confirmation that pluralism is what the party
\nfights for. Given all this, this party can obviously be accepted
\nby all.<\/p>\n
What is your expectation about the future development of the
\nPKB?<\/p>\n
The PKB must further expand to non-Muslim areas outside Java.
\nIn Java, it is clear that the base of the party is in the
\npesantren, Muslim boarding schools. More work has to be done
\noutside Java. The PKB must immediately devote its attention to
\ndevelop itself outside Java. This is the party's immediate task.<\/p>\n
What do you think about a few conflicts that have now broken
\nout in the PKB?<\/p>\n
All the conflicts can be settled. Differences of opinion in
\nthe PKB can be resolved in the NU manner. As I see it, some of
\nthe younger members have different opinions to that of the senior
\nclerics. However, they do not express their opinions in a vulgar
\nway. There are ethics there. I cannot understand why it has to be
\nperceived as a \"conflict\" by the media. Differences of opinion
\nthat degenerate into conflicts can be settled without causing a
\ncrack in the party. This is uniquely an NU tradition that has
\nbeen brought into the PKB.<\/p>",
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