PPP to embrace nationalism as party principles<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
To prepare for future political challenges, the Islam-based
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) is considering a departure from
\nits long-standing Islamic platform, for nationalism.<\/p>\n
The party's deputy secretary-general Chozin Chuamidi said on
\nWednesday that the PPP's religious base was no longer effective
\nto secure votes.<\/p>\n
"Previous elections proved that sectarian parties have been
\nabandoned by voters. The latest legislative election saw Islam-
\nbased parties obtain 17.5 percent of the vote between them,"
\nChozin said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Most people voted for secular parties, a fact which, according
\nto Chozin, had inspired the PPP to consider a shift toward
\nnationalism<\/p>\n
"If we do not make significant changes, our voters will leave
\nus," Chozin said, on the sidelines of the party's meeting to
\nannounce its decision to back Megawati Soekarnoputri and her
\nrunning mate Hasyim Muzadi on Sept. 20.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation.<\/p>\n
The PPP was founded in 1973 as the fusion of several Islam-
\nbased parties and organizations, following the New Order
\ngovernment's decision to simplify the country's multiparty
\nsystem.<\/p>\n
In terms of votes, the PPP finished fourth behind the
\nnationalist Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI-P) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) in the
\ngeneral election, while based on seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives, the PPP secured the third highest number, behind
\nGolkar and the PDI-P.<\/p>\n
Other Islam-based parties, such as the Crescent Star Party
\n(PBB) and the Reform Star Party (PBR), had no significant impact
\non the final results, although fellow Islam-based party -- the
\nProsperous Justice Party (PKS) -- secured a surprising 45 seats
\nin the House.<\/p>\n
The newly established Democratic Party secured 55 seats, and
\nsaw its presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono emerge
\nthe front-runner ahead of the September runoff.<\/p>\n
Chozin blamed the PPP's dwindling popularity on its leaders'
\nignorance of social welfare issues.<\/p>\n
"That's why we have urged our new legislators not to focus on
\nthe party's ideology, but on social welfare," he said.<\/p>\n
During the party meeting, the PPP's central board threatened
\nto dismiss any member who does not support the Megawati-Hasyim
\nticket in the runoff.<\/p>\n
The party leaders were responding to announcements made by
\nvarious organizations affiliated with the party -- including the
\nKa'bah Youth Movement (GPK) and the Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood
\n(Parmusi) -- that they will support Susilo and his running mate
\nJusuf Kalla.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ppp-to-embrace-nationalism-as-party-principles-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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