Amien launches 'modern' party

Amien launches 'modern' party

JAKARTA (JP): Amien Rais launched his much-anticipated
National Mandate Party (PAN) here yesterday, declaring it a
"modern" party open to all ethnicities and religions.

The declaration ceremony became a media and public magnate, as
10,000 people flocked to the Istora sports hall in Senayan,
Central Jakarta.

"The National Mandate Party is a political party that strives
for sovereignty of the people, democracy, progress and social
justice," Amien, speaking as the party's chairman, told the
cheering crowd.

Thousands had bussed in from around the greater Jakarta area,
many of whom wore white headbands and T-shirts bearing the
party's blue star logo.

They chanted "Amien, Amien" and "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great),
while waving Amien's picture.

By far, it was the most successful launching of any of the
some 60 new political parties established in the past two months.

Amien, who was, until Saturday, chairman of the 28-million
strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, stressed that the party
would be pluralistic.

"The National Mandate Party is a party that respects and
supports pluralism. The party is made up of Indonesians
representing different beliefs, schools of thought, ethnic
origins, races, religions and genders," he said.

He also stressed that the party adhered to the principles of
"nonsectarianism" and "nondiscrimination".

Amien was officially replaced as Muhammadiyah chairman
Saturday because the Moslem organization's statutes do not permit
executive members to hold dual posts in another organization.

Platform

As stipulated in its platform, the party intends to develop a
new Indonesian society based on religious values, democratic
principles and humanity, in order to build a civil society free
of suffering, fear and repression.

Among its goals are a limitation of the presidential term to a
maximum of two five-year terms, and a clear separation of power
between executive, legislative and judicial institutions, so as
to guarantee mutual control.

The party also said it is open to the concept of a federal
state "in order to prevent national disintegration and
exploitation of the regions by the center".

In the area of defense, it stressed that the Armed Forces must
be under public control and cease any involvement in political,
economic and social affairs.

On economic affairs, the party claimed to sanction policies
which ensure social justice. Among them freeing cooperatives
along with small and medium enterprises from bureaucratic
restraints and other hampering elements.

It also advocates the creation of consumer protection and
antimonopoly laws, along with the need for agrarian reform, which
gives everyone access to land but restricts too great a control.

Another major departure from government policy is the party's
support for all people's right of self-determination.

"Because of its unique history, the party supports the
resolution of the problem of East Timor through a United Nations
supervised referendum," it said in its platform brief.

During a press conference held later yesterday at Muhammadiyah
headquarters in Central Jakarta, Amien said PAN aims to win the
next general election, scheduled to be held in May or June,
adding that he would accept a nomination to run for president.

Amien's willingness to take charge of the country is no
secret. Earlier this year, he publicly put his name up as an
alternative candidate before Soeharto was reelected in March.

Since then, Amien's stature has grown as he remained in the
forefront of prodemocracy efforts that demanded urgent and
comprehensive reforms. The movement became a catalyst which
eventually led to the resignation of Soeharto in May.

Possibly due in part to Amien's own charismatic and popular
character, the party brings together a wide mix of individuals
with different sociopolitical backgrounds.

Former dissident A.M. Fatwa, philosopher Toety Heraty,
prominent Moslem scholar Dawam Rahardjo, director of the
Institute for Interfaith Dialog Th. Sumartana and scholar K.
Sindhunata are among the party's deputy chairs.

University of Indonesia economist Faisal Basri was appointed
secretary-general.

Historian Taufik Abdullah is head of the party's advisory
council, which includes, among others, economist Christianto
Wibisono and head of Gadjah Mada University's Center for Security
and Peace Studies Yahya Muhaimin.

Political scientist Mochtar Mas'oed and activist Pius
Lustrilanang were also among the party's executives.

Senior journalists Goenawan Mohammad and Fikri Jufri, human
rights campaigner Albert Hasibuan and consumer activist
Zoemrotin K.S, known to be the party's initiators, did not join
the executive board.

"Goenawan and I will be Tempo (weekly) chief editor and
general manager respectively and we do not allow Tempo's board of
directors and members to join any political party," Fikri, who
was also present at the party inauguration, told The Jakarta
Post.

Former minister Emil Salim and social observer Frans Magnis
Suseno were also seen yesterday. (byg)