Poet Emha a 'blessing' for PPP: Observers<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Observers have applauded the decision of noted
\nplaywright and poet Emha Ainun Nadjib to join the Moslem-based
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) and become one of its principal
\nvote-getters in next year's election campaign.<\/p>\n
\"He's a blessing for PPP and will improve the party's image,\"
\npolitical scientist Ali Mufiz of the Diponegoro University told
\nThe Jakarta Post here yesterday. \"This is really fortunate (for
\nPPP) because Emha is a charismatic figure and has many followers
\nin the community.\"<\/p>\n
\"I think PPP will increase its share of the vote, though it
\nwill still be a distant second to (the ruling) Golkar,\" Mufiz
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Another observer from the university, Thoyfoer, said Emha's
\npresence will help PPP attract more young voters. The poet, who
\nis known to be a critical scholar and has a great following among
\nyoung people, will be able to provide the party with \"fresh and
\noriginal ideas\", Thoyfoer said.<\/p>\n
During PPP's 23rd anniversary celebrations in Surabaya, East
\nJava, on Sunday, Emha announced before some 20,000 supporters
\nthat he will vote for the party in the 1997 general election.<\/p>\n
To loud cheers, he read out his two-page statement entitled
\nDeklarasi Syahid (A Declaration of Martyrdom) and began to act as
\na vote-getter straight away.<\/p>\n
\"In the name of Allah...I call on Moslems to give special
\nsupport to PPP. Moslems have to fight to defend the
\ntruth...through PPP,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I reached this decision after I said my istiqarah prayers,\"
\nhe said, referring to a special prayer said when people are in
\nuncertainty over anything. \"I know I will be hated by millions of
\nmy friends, but I will face it as a risk.\"<\/p>\n
It was also during the celebration that the party \"adopted\"
\nEast Java Governor Basofi Soedirman into its fold by putting the
\nparty's green jacket on him. The governor, also a former Golkar
\nleader, said, \"I accept this jacket, although there will be
\nuproar (over it)\".<\/p>\n
In his speech, PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum called on
\nyoung people to voice their political aspirations through PPP. It
\nhas been the party's intention to win the hearts of young people,
\nespecially first-time voters of which there will be 20 million
\nnext year.<\/p>\n
Mufiz said that, seen from the perspective of a citizen's
\npolitical rights, Emha's decision was not extraordinary.<\/p>\n
\"He is a citizen with the right to choose and be elected, the
\nright to voice his political aspiration,\" Mufiz said. \"However,
\nas he is also a public figure, his decision (to join PPP) becomes
\nespecially interesting.\"<\/p>\n
Mufiz said the majority of Moslems with above-average
\nintelligence who previously were more supportive of Golkar, will
\nnow likely turn to PPP. He suggested that Golkar find a vote-
\ngetter who is as charismatic as Emha.<\/p>\n
\"Emha is a great communicator,\" Thoyfoer said. \"The fact that
\nthere have been bans imposed on him and his performances only
\nmakes him all the more appealing.\"<\/p>\n
Emha has had several of his performances, often critical of
\nthe government, banned by the authorities. One of his plays, Pak
\nKanjeng, was banned in 1994.<\/p>\n
The prolific writer also travels extensively to give speeches
\non issues ranging from arts and culture to politics and religion.
\nIt is in this role that he has often had to cancel appointments
\nbecause the authorities refused to let him speak.<\/p>\n
Born in Jombang, East Java, in May 1953, Emha rose to fame in
\nthe arts world by establishing the Dinasti Theater in his home in
\nYogyakarta in the late 1970s. He and the theater later performed
\nin several cities in Java.<\/p>\n
The blue-jeaned columnist is also affectionately known as kyai
\nmbeling or \"naughty Moslem leader\". (har\/swe)<\/p>",
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