Doubts linger about prospects of new Masyumi
Doubts linger about prospects of new Masyumi
JAKARTA (JP): Skepticism hangs over the future of the newly formed Masyumi organization as more analysts expressed doubt yesterday and spurned its intentions to become a political party.
Political analyst Riswandha Imawan said he doubted that the new Masyumi can become a political party.
"If the aim of the new Masyumi is to become a political party, then personally I am pessimistic that it can be achieved," the University of Gadjah Mada lecturer said in Yogyakarta.
The use of the acronym Masyumi itself has sent confusing signals, he said.
The newly established organization, Majelis Syarikat Ummat Muslimin Indonesia, has adopted the acronym "Masyumi" formerly used by Majelis Syuro Muslimin Indonesia, which was outlawed in 1960 because of its association with an armed rebellion.
Riswandha pointed out that the old Masyumi was viewed as identical to the Moslem cause, while the new organization claims to encompass all elements of society, including non-Moslems.
He surmised that this could be an exercise in either combining Islamic and nationalistic concepts, or merely an attempt at hanging on the coattails of the Masyumi legacy.
Former legislator Ridwan Saidi announced the establishment of a "new" Masyumi on Friday with the ultimate aim of turning it into a political party.
The news of the new organization has conjured up a great deal of criticism particularly because it has taken on the acronym used by the now defunct party. The surviving members of the "old" Masyumi have not extended their support.
Also in Yogyakarta, historian Djoko Surjo took a more contemplative approach, pointing out that the birth of this new group reflects the prevailing perplexity of people towards the political process in Indonesia.
He said such organizations grew out of the uncertainty of the future, particularly as the country prepares for a general election in 1997. "Such a thing would not happen in a developed country because there the political future is more certain," Djoko said.
Djoko argued that the establishment of the new Masyumi shows the apparent inability of the current political parties to respond to the people's aspirations.
In Jakarta, the head of the Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, Amien Rais, said he did not support the new organization and would not recommend anyone joining it.
"As chairman of Muhammadiyah I would not recommend or suggest that Muhammadiyah members throughout the country join," said Amien, of the organization's 27-million following.
The new Masyumi is not a revision of the old Masyumi which in the 1950s boasted the country's largest following, he said.
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., in his first public comment on the new Masyumi on Monday, pointed out that a 1985 law recognizes only three political parties in Indonesia.
The home ministry's spokesperson, H.S.A. Yusacc, said the concerns expressed about the new organization's name will be discussed when the founders of the new Masyumi register the organization with the ministry.
"The name and other matters will definitely be discussed during the consultation prior to registration," Yusacc said.
Separately, the new Masyumi's central presidium secretary, Agus Miftach, issued a statement yesterday saying that the organization had won the support of former religious affairs minister Alamsyah Ratuperwiranegara.
"Alamsyah hopes that the new Masyumi can maintain good relations with ABRI (the Armed Forces) and can justify the existence of the organization to the minister of home affairs," Agus Miftach announced.
He said further that Alamsyah had congratulated the presidium on the formation of the new organization and hoped that it can maintain the body and take it in a positive and responsible direction. (har/mds)
Editorial -- Page 4