Idea of Islam faction at MPR

Idea of Islam faction at MPR

From Rakyat Merdeka

United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz's idea of
the necessity to form an Islamic faction at the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) has been much commented on, both for
and against.

The idea was launched as a continuation of a stembus accoord
agreement made by a number of Islamic parties, with the objective
to better accommodate the aspirations of Muslims. A similar idea
was also voiced by the Association of Indonesian Muslim
Intellectuals chairman Ahmad Tirtosudiro. Is it true that the
idea is solely to accommodate the interests of Muslims? Or is it
tactics and strategy to support one of the presidential
candidates?

I belong to the group of people who do not agree with the idea
of establishing an Islamic faction. I think a number of things
are irrelevant. According to the law on political parties, the
formation of a faction at the MPR is only possible if it is based
on a political party participating in a general election. So, it
is clear that the idea is not in accordance with the law.

Besides, if the idea of establishing an Islamic faction at the
MPR is approved, won't non-Islamic political parties be envious?
If such a faction is formed, there will be proposals for the
establishment of a Hindu faction, a Buddhist faction, a Christian
faction and possibly a Khong Hu Chu faction. If such is the case,
SARA (ethnic, religious, racial and intergroup problems)
conflicts will arise and lead to disintegration. This possibility
must be reflected on wisely by the political elite.

In my opinion, if the idea is only aimed at hampering the
candidacy of a woman for president, one should not use religion
and its followers as a shield. There are actually many
organizations to accommodate the aspirations and interests of
Muslims but, their function and role have so far not been
optimized.

K. MULYANTONO

Kartoharjo, East Java