Govt to keep its hands off Muhammadiyah

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)