PPP starts anew<\/p>\n
The Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) opened its
\nfour-day congress here on Sunday in which it will set its house
\nin order in readiness for next year's general election. It plans
\nto make significant gains next year, but unlike in previous
\ncampaigns, it will be vying with 17 new political parties which
\nadhere to Islamic principles.<\/p>\n
With more established political entities also gearing up for
\nthe poll scheduled for June 7, the competition should be tight
\nand the rivalry should prove intense. Provided the election
\nactually takes place.<\/p>\n
Among the established political entities, Golkar will surely
\nwant to repeat their success of previous years and show the
\npeople that their support is genuine. On their part, the PPP and
\nthe Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) -- especially the faction
\nled by Megawati Soekarnoputri -- have long dreamed of contesting
\na free election, the country's first since 1955.<\/p>\n
The show of force made by the PPP at its congress opening
\nceremony on Sunday and the support mustered for a congress held
\nby Megawati's faction of the PDI in Bali must have been intended
\nto demonstrate the strong base of support these two parties both
\nenjoy.<\/p>\n
What is clear is that the PPP's leaders have long understood
\nhow tough the competition will be. To prepare themselves, the
\nparty will elect a new executive board to replace the outgoing
\none led Ismail Hasan Metareum. The party believes that a large
\npart of the population, especially those living in rural areas,
\nholds religious values closely entwined with their political
\nbeliefs. In an attempt to win part of this floating vote, the
\nparty has dropped the Pancasila state ideology and replaced it
\nwith Islam.<\/p>\n
It has replaced the star which once adorned its flags and
\nbanners with the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine in Mecca. The
\nsymbol has a potent meaning for every Moslem. The Kaaba was in
\nfact the PPP's chosen symbol until 1985, when the authorities
\nordered it to be replaced by a star.<\/p>\n
Apparently the PPP now wants to make up for lost ground. With
\nthe Kaaba, even in a rigged poll, the party still managed to
\nuproot Golkar in Jakarta, Aceh and South Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
The outgoing PPP leaders might pride themselves on this
\nmaneuver, which comes hard on the heels of their bold debating
\nduring last month's special session of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR). During the session, legislators from the party
\nspoke up for the reform agenda, including curtailment of the
\nmilitary's role in politics.<\/p>\n
The PPP's newfound courage seems in part an attempt to do
\npenance for supporting Soeharto's reelection to the presidency in
\nMay, despite widespread public opposition. By supporting
\nSoeharto, the PPP leadership willfully betrayed its supporters,
\nto whom it promised during the 1997 general election campaign
\nthat it would work for political reform. It also disappointed
\nmost of its branch leaders, who themselves opposed reelection of
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
However, the betrayal did not surprise many political
\nobservers. Chairman Ismail had long been known for his readiness
\nto compromise with members of the ruling political elite.
\nResignation seems to be the price he has had to pay for this
\nwavering leadership.<\/p>\n
The congress participants seem to have forgiven him because
\nunder his leadership the party has remained united, while its
\nmain rivals, Golkar and the PDI, have been plagued by bickering
\nand infighting.<\/p>\n
However, in the general election, voters will judge the
\nperformance of each party and the PPP's faults will be well
\nremembered. The party will not help itself if the present
\ncongress fails to elect a strong new leadership and draft a
\nconvincing program for economic and political reform.<\/p>\n
A free election will produce a new transfiguration of the
\npolitical powers in this country, and should explode the myth
\nthat a certain group is the strongest because it commands
\nmillions of supporters. The poll is an arena in which only the
\nfittest will survive.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ppp-starts-anew-1447899208",
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