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)