Amien's 'center axis'

Amien's 'center axis'

National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais, United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz, Crescent Star Party (PBB) chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Nadhlatul Ummat Party (PNU) chairman Yusuf Hasyim met at PPP headquarters over the past weekend. Their agenda was to give greater substance to what they refer to as the Center Axis (Poros Tengah) as a force to compete with both Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in the upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The efforts raised much speculation among both analysts and the public at large. This, plus Amien Rais' recent statement of support for Gus Dur (National Awakening Party chairman Abdurrahman Wahid) as a presidential candidate, is seen as a reaction to the failure of the Ciganjur Group of leaders (Amien, Gus Dur, PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X) -- especially the highly passive PDI Perjuangan -- to perform. It is also seen as an effort to block Golkar, considered antireformist or pro-status quo.

Others see the move as part of the political acrobatics that are currently being performed by both Gus Dur and Amien Rais for purposes which only those two leaders know. Gus Dur is said to be trying to lead Amien and the Islamic parties in the group to support Megawati. Others, on the other hand, say that Amien is trying to isolate Gus Dur from Megawati to the advantage of Habibie. Either of the two arguments could be true.

Whatever it is that those leaders are trying to achieve, we hope it is in the interest of the people. The point is that if the end objective is (to attain) power -- if they should stray for just this one time -- the people will be disappointed forever. The people will no longer provide them with a stage on which to perform.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta