The Crescent Star Party<\/p>\n
Two recent front page articles (April 16 and April 19) on the
\nCrescent Star Party (PBB) and its chairman Prof. Yusril Ihza
\nMahendra attracted my attention. What fascinated me was not so
\nmuch the party's economic and political platforms, which endorse
\nsuch things as a market economy, foreign investment, wide-ranging
\nautonomy for the provinces etc. These platforms, important as
\nthey are, could well be shared by many of the other parties. What
\nsingles out the PBB, I think, is its emphasis on the need for
\nIslamic ethical values in order to resist the current moral and
\neconomic crisis, as well as its complete rejection of any
\nindividual cultism and communistic practices in the governing of
\nthe nation.<\/p>\n
The most fundamental problem faced by the country today is
\nwidespread moral bankruptcy. Under the circumstances, a set of
\neconomic and political platforms, no matter how good they may
\nappear on paper, will not significantly mitigate the problem if
\npolitical leaders are corrupt or degenerate. In this regard, I
\nbelieve a government dominated by political parties based on
\nreligious nationalism, such as the PBB, is far more likely to
\npursue and accomplish high moral standards and alleviate the
\ncrisis, compared to a government founded on secular nationalism,
\nsuch as one led by the Functional Group (Golkar) party or the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). To be
\nsure, a strict application of Christian moral values could be
\njust as helpful in combating the crisis, but since the vast
\nmajority (nearly 90 percent) of the Indonesian population are
\nMuslims, a government of Islamic parties would be more
\nappropriate.<\/p>\n
A pointed out by Prof. Yusril, the PBB not only espouses Islam
\nas its guiding ideology and source of inspiration, but it is also
\nready, if it wins the next elections, to cooperate with non-
\nMuslims to form the next government.<\/p>\n
Another quality of the Crescent Star Party which I find
\nattractive is its total rejection of individual cultism as
\npracticed, for instance, by the PDI Perjuangan with respect to
\nits chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri. Surely what is important
\nis not so much any particular leader in the party but rather the
\nsystem or vision envisaged by the party itself. Indonesian people
\nhave had the unfortunate experience of having two deified
\ndictators (Sukarno and Soeharto) for about 40 years. If we should
\nhave another idolized president, Megawati for instance, the
\ncountry could end up in disaster as in 1965 and 1998. Besides we
\nreally do not know what Megawati stands for and what is going on
\nin her mind. Her extremely reticent personality and persistent
\nrefusal to take part in a public debate with the other
\npresidential candidates will certainly cast a serious doubt about
\nher capability and her ideas on how she would govern the country.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, most Indonesians are wondering why those shameful
\nand violent riots in Purbalingga, Brebes, Lampung, Palu etc. were
\nperpetrated by her own cadres and followers. Is this violent or
\neven communistic radicalism part and parcel of her party's
\nideology, or is it just an indication of her inability to control
\nher subordinates? Megawati should come out of her shell and must
\nnot hide behind the charismatic image of her late father, who,
\nsome people think, was far from exemplary.<\/p>\n
In my view, the best thing that could happen to this country
\nwould be for the Islamic parties to win the next elections and
\nperhaps form a coalition government with the National Mandate
\nParty (PAN) of Amien Rais. In this scenario, the Golkar Party and
\nPDI Perjuangan would take up the opposition role.<\/p>\n
MASLI ARMAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-crescent-star-party-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }