Islamic political parties want to put Gus Dur to the test
SEMARANG (JP): The United Development Party (PPP), one of the eight Muslim-based parties allied in the "axis force", said on Tuesday the group would have to "test" Abdurrahman Wahid over his expressed willingness to be its presidential candidate.
PPP deputy chairman Karmani said here the faction had not named its candidate yet. He also expressed doubt in the sincerity of Abdurrahman, also known as Gus Dur, to be affiliated with the group as the latter had often declared his support for Megawati Soekarnoputri.
"If Abdurrahman seriously wishes to be nominated... his willingness has to be tested first as he is still supporting Megawati as the next president," Karmani said.
"Personally, I doubt that Abdurrahman sincerely wishes to be nominated (by the alliance) as president. Therefore, Abdurrahman must be questioned further," Karmani said.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) won the June elections and secured 154 of 462 elected seats at the House of Representatives, while Golkar came second with 120 seats. The two parties' candidates, Megawati and incumbent President B.J. Habibie, are considered the front-runners in the presidential race. This prompted some Muslim-based parties, led by Amien Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN), to ally themselves and look for an alternative candidate.
Abdurrahman, founder of the National Awakening Party (PKB) and chairman of Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, agreed on Saturday to Amien's nomination of him.
Karmani said that up to the present, PPP, which won third place in the poll with 59 seats, had yet to decide whether to support Abdurrahman, Megawati or B.J. Habibie.
"We (PPP) can even name our own candidate. There are lots of other figures (suitable) to lead the country," he said, adding that further discussion between members of the Muslim faction on the matter would be held soon.
In Purwokerto, the chairman of the Central Java branch of PKB, Noer Iskandar Albarsany, said his party had not decided yet whether to support Abdurrahman's nomination by the axis force.
"We are a bit confused over how to respond to Abdurrahman's statement. We wanted to nominate him before for president, but he refused, so we have supported Megawati until now," Noer said.
PKB would soon discuss the matter at a meeting in mid-August, he said.
"We need to be suspicious of this nomination (by Amien's group)... it may be just a political trick from the axis force. Usually the Islamic fundamentalist groups oppose Abdurrahman, but now suddenly they are nominating him."
Offer
In Jakarta, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), which is also a member in the axis alliance, hinted his support for Habibie, citing the latter's openness to hold political negotiations with the group.
"Megawati has offered nothing. On the other hand, Habibie was active in lobbying the 'axis force'," Yusril told Antara during a discussion on the alternative presidential candidate.
Yusril disclosed that about a month ago he was informally invited and informed by Habibie of his plan to have a Cabinet of 28 ministers once he is elected president.
Yusril said the 28 ministers would be composed of 8 technocrats and 20 figures from political parties.
The political party figures would consist of six from PDI Perjuangan, five from Golkar, four from PPP and two from PBB, he said. Yusril did not specify the remaining three.
He also reiterated the axis force must not name its own candidate, because then it would no longer be an axis camp, but a third group. The alliance, instead, should wait to see how Golkar and PDI Perjuangan would approach it for support.
"Now comes the matter of picking the parties which come first with realistic negotiations," Yusril observed, reiterating the axis force had yet to choose which presidential elect to support.
"Perhaps Abdurrahman will be appointed. Who knows?" Yusril added.
Law expert Harun Alrasid, however, opposed Yusril's view.
"The 'axis force' must name its presidential candidate to run against Habibie and Megawati," Harun told Antara. "Surely it (the naming of a candidate) would be a precondition for the 'axis force' to win (in the presidential race planned for November)."
PBB deputy chairman Hartono Mardjono agreed with Yusril.
"The Muslim faction, which has about 20 percent of the vote, will play a decisive role in the next presidential election," Hartono said in Surakarta, Central Java, on Monday.
Meanwhile, in Bandung, noted sociologist Selo Sumardjan reiterated that the country needed a consistent leader who was acceptable to people from all walks of life.
The figure must be able to unite this country and lead the people out of the crisis, Selo said during a discussion here on Tuesday. (43/45/har/edt)