Islamic parties seen to win polls

BOGOR, West Java: A.M. Saefuddin, a deputy chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), predicted on Saturday that an alliance of Islamic parties would win at the polls.

He based his prophecy on the fact that 80 percent of eligible voters are in rural areas where Muslims are predominant.

"I believe the Islamic parties will emerge as winners because they are rural-based," he told reporters.

Besides, he said, the victory would be a divine victory. In the Old Order under Sukarno, red (Indonesian Nationalist Party) rose to power, in the New Order under Soeharto, it was yellow (Golkar Party) and now it will be green (the color of Islamic parties) that will be in power, he said.

"People of other religions should not be worried about the Islamic parties' victory," he said. "We will show that Islam is good, not terrorism." (24)