Doubts and praises for new Muhammadiyah board

By Santi WE Soekanto and Wisnu Pramudya

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): When preparations for the 43rd congress of Muhammadiyah began recently, the leaders of the reformist Moslem organization vowed that it would become a "smooth, cool and model gathering".

Many people attending the event believed they succeeded because, apart from the few signs of conflicts among one or two chairman candidates prior to elections, the congress was relatively trouble-free and devoid of any attempts at meddling by external parties.

Even State Minister for Research and Technology B.J. Habibie was reported to have said that, compared to the congresses of other social or political groupings, Muhammadiyah's was "heaven".

Polarization between leading candidates, intellectual Amien Rais and senior activist Lukman Harun, was controlled effectively so that it did not interfere with the whole election process.

Even the re-election of Amien to the helm of the 83-year-old organization did not come as a surprise; most participants agreed with the electoral board that the man was the most suitable.

Certainly not everybody is happy.

Since the beginning, Lukman Harun has had a rough ride in the proceeding. When he entered the race for chairmanship, supported by some activists of the organization's youth wing, he had to contend with rumors of a money scandal amounting to Rp 7 billion.

He was only included in the 13-strong central board because of Amien Rais' grace in embracing his "competitor", many observers thought.

Yet, Lukman was still upset.

"All that slander I had to face. I'm just a human being and I was hurt," he said, when someone suggested that he forgive and forget and try to cooperate the best he could with the other 12 members of the board.

Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, chairman of the Muhammadiyah Youths, has great hopes for the new board because it includes Lukman. "No other senior leader has given as much attention toward the youth wing as Lukman has," he said.

"He has great, innovative ideas," Hajriyanto said of the former vice chairman known for his close ties with powerful people in the business sector, including Probosutedjo.

Several people, interviewed separately by The Jakarta Post, said that, instead of being a sore spot for the new board, Lukman would be able to control Amien Rais' political alignment.

Amien, who is also an expert on international relations, stirred up controversies two years ago when he called for public discourses on succession of national leadership.

A number of people, including political scientist Afan Gaffar, expressed concern that the inclusion of Lukman in the central board spells "conflicts".

"He's got the bureaucracy behind him, he's a fighter and not many people can stand up to him," Afan said.

Others expressed happier thoughts.

Dr. Subki Abdulkadir, a senior activist and former director of the Jakarta Islamic Hospital, said that, under Amien's leadership, Muhammdiyah would be "loyal to its mission".

Idrus Tatuhey, a youth leader from Central Halmahera in Maluku, told the Post that, under Amien, Muhammadiyah would pay greater attention to the development of Moslem communities in the less-developed eastern region of the archipelago.

"Last year, we complained about how one school building was a wreck," Tatuhey said. "Amien listened to us, lobbied the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which then donated Rp 25 million."

"He listens to our grievances," Tatuhey said.

Ahmad Kasturi and Abdurrahman Ibrahim, two activists from the provinces of East Java and Irian Jaya respectively, also believe that the new central board would be solid and build strong "brotherhood".

"The fact that the board consists of people from various backgrounds proves that there are no polarized groups here," Ahmad said. "As for Amien, we don't have any doubts that he would be able to lead us. He's a very knowledgeable man."

There are nine civil servants on the board, while the remaining four are either businessmen or have other occupations. There are intellectuals and ulemas, as well as the so-called "government lobbyist" on the board.

"This board is proof that there's no political ruse behind its establishment," Abdurrahman said. "Those leaders will be solid, I know."

One of the 13 members of the new board, Sutrisno Muhdam, believes that, different background notwithstanding, the board would not face overly stiff conflicts in the future.

"We are Muhammadiyah members before all else," he said. "If I have to choose between my position as a civil servant and a Muhammadiyah member, I would certainly take the second option."