Jacob leads Marhaen forum

JAKARTA: Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), was named the coordinator of the Marhaenis Communication Forum (FKM) during its establishment on Sunday.

Marhaen is a teaching that centers on social economic justice, which originated from Indonesia's first president Sukarno. Followers of the teaching call themselves Marhaenis.

FKM administrator Edwin Sukowati said Marhaen figures would seek to unite Marhaen-based political parties and mass organizations.

"Coalition among Marhaen-based parties is one of our goals. Another intention is to unite Marhaen-based mass organizations," Ehe told reporters.

FKM claims that 14 political parties have joined the forum, among them the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the Democrat National Party.

Edwin said he expected FKM to become a mass organization, such as the Nahdlatul Ulama or Muhammadiyah, the two largest Muslim- based organizations in this country. -- Antara