Govt to keep its hands off Muhammadiyah

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): The government promised the 28 million members and supporters of the reformist Moslem organization Muhammadiyah that it would not interfere in its congress next month.

Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher told The Jakarta Post on Monday the government would leave the Muhammadiyah to elect its new executive board.

He refused to speculate on the chances of several leading candidates, saying only: "I don't have the right to talk about this matter, only the members of the Muhammadiyah who participate in the congress."

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman supported the pledge. "We'll leave everything to the congress participants...the government will not interfere," he was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

"We believe that the congress will proceed smoothly, safely and orderly," he said on Monday.

Tarmizi and Soesilo were the latest senior government officials to promise non-interference in the congress that will bring together some 3,500 of Muhammadiyah's leading members from across the country.

Muhammadiyah, the oldest socio-educational Moslem organization in the country established 85 years ago in Yogyakarta, will hold its 43rd congress from July 6 to July 10 in Banda Aceh. President Soeharto plans to open the gathering, while Vice President Try Sutrisno is expected to close it.

Some 10,000 "supporters" are expected to add to the festivities.

The election of a new Muhamamdiyah chairman has stolen the spotlight from the debate concerning the organization's pledge to stay away from politics and the issue of outsiders meddling in the formation of a new executive board.

Speculation as to who will replace incumbent chairman Amien Rais and his deputies has been rampant. Despite their previous declaration that they would not let the leadership issue interfere with the congress, the incumbent leaders themselves have fueled the debate.

Amien has expressed his willingness to lead the organization again, while several others, including political observers, have contributed to the fuss by putting forth additional names.

Several frequently mentioned possibilities include Amien, deputy chairmen H.S. Prodjokusumo, Watik Pratiknya and Rusjdi Hamka. Some high profile members, including Lukman Harun and Din Syamsuddin, have also made the list.

According to election procedures, the organizing committee will register 139 names proposed by Muhammadiyah's branch offices. A preliminary meeting to the congress will be held on July 2 to narrow the list to 39 names.

The congress proper will then elect 13 members to the new executive board. These 13 will then determine among themselves who is to sit at the top.

Political observers Amien Syukur, Afan Gaffar and Din Syamsuddin recently joined in the debate by outlining the characteristics of suitable leaders for Muhammadiyah.

Amien, a staff lecturer at the State Institute for Islamic Studies in Semarang, said the organization needs an ulema, or religious scholar, knowledgeable in other fields, or an intellectual with a broad knowledge of Islam.

"This leader should also be able to serve as a bridge for Muhammadiyah with other organizations," he said.

Afan told the Post that Muhammadiyah needs someone with vision and an ability to anticipate the increasingly complicated challenges of the future.

Both Amien Syukur and Afan believe that Amien Rais fits the bill.

Din Syamsuddin, who is also a leading Golkar member, also spoke of the importance of a leader with vision and strong leadership skills. The would-be chairman, he said, should score high in ahlaqul karimah, or good conduct, and be able to build brotherhood among Moslems.

Din, however, supports Prodjokusumo for the position. (swe/har)