Justice Party speaks out against discrimination

JAKARTA (JP): The Justice Party (PK) asserted on Thursday that Indonesia would prosper if it did away with discrimination and gave responsibility to those with the most talent, regardless of their religious or racial background.

The secretary-general of the Muslim-based party, Anis Matta, said during a discussion at The Jakarta Post that raising the issue of indigenous versus nonindigenous in the economic and political spheres of Indonesia would not benefit the Islamic community.

If Indonesia wishes to restore its economy and accelerate development, it should not force the closure of major businesses -- many of which are owned by Chinese-Indonesians -- but give equal access to everyone who wishes to compete.

He said indigenous Indonesians may not need capital but education.

Anis was discussing the platform and vision of his party, including its position on the sensitive question of sectarian conflicts. He said Islam prohibits its followers from mistreating other people, including non-Muslims, saying a number of Islamic laws actually stipulate equality for all groups in society.

The zakat or alms, for instance, are intended for both the Muslim and non-Muslim poor.

Anis said because of its limited budget, the party's supporters would conduct a "door-to-door" campaign rather than holding rallies or other large party gatherings.

Meanwhile, it was reported from Demak in Central Java that three supporters of the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP) were abducted and beaten up on Wednesday night by a group of unidentified people. PPP's branch chairman, Nurkhamid, said the three were being treated at the local hospital.

"I have reported the abduction and the violence inflicted on our supporters to the police," Nurkhamid said, adding he knew who committed the crime but refused to reveal their identities.

The three supporters were returning from a party gathering.

In nearby Pemalang, dozens of PPP and National Awakening Party (PKB) supporters were injured after becoming involved in a clash. Similar clashes between supporters of the two Muslim-based parties have taken place in Pekalongan, Tegal, Cilacap, Temanggung, Kudus and Pati, all in Central Java.

Clashes between supporters of Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) recently took place in Purbalingga, Surakarta, Salatiga and Sragen, all in Central Java.

In a related development, Antara reported Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung was scheduled to visit several regencies in Central Java for party gatherings this weekend, despite numerous calls to cancel the gatherings.

Golkar supporters were involved in a clash with supporters of PDI Perjuangan during Akbar's April 2 visit to Purbalingga.

Akbar will meet supporters in Cilacap, Purwokerto, Banyumas, Kebumen and Purworejo.

In Purwokerto, political observer Rubiyanto Misman called on Akbar to cancel his visit to Cilacap because the city was prone to unrest. The rector of Jenderal Sudirman University said on Thursday Akbar should allow a "cooling-down" period before he again visits the area.

"Besides, it's not even campaigning time yet. Please don't keep on fooling the public with this excuse of holding party gatherings. That's when troubles begins," he said.

A local activist from PDI Perjuangan also called on Akbar to cancel his visit. "Cilacap is an area which is more prone to unrest than Purbalingga."

Banyumas Police chief Col. Iskandar, however, said security authorities had no reason to ban Akbar from visiting Cilacap. "Not only Akbar. Any party chairman can enter the region."

In Yogyakarta, political expert Ichlasul Amal said the planned coalition of three political parties with roots in Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) reflected a long-standing rift within the organization. The three parties are joining forces to challenge the National Awakening Party, favored by NU chairman Abdurrahman Wahid.

The parties in question are the United Development Party (PPP), the Nahdlatul Ummat Party (PNU) and the Ummat Awakening Party (PKU). The parties were upset by Abdurrahman's, better known as Gus Dur, public declaration that PKB was the NU's party.

"It's the same old song," Amal said. "Even when there were only three parties -- Golkar, PPP and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) -- there already were rifts among NU elements within PPP."

He said that traditionally, NU members -- said to be 30 million -- were divided into two large groups: those who were loyal to the organization's principle of remaining nonpolitical and those who wanted to be politically active.

Suit

Meanwhile, Antara reported from Surabaya, East Java, the provincial leaders of the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) appointed lawyers to represent them in their lawsuit against the Malang office of the Independent Elections Monitoring Committee (KIPP) for accusing the party of employing "money politics".

Provincial party chairman Haruna Soemitro said KIPP accused PDR and Golkar of using the social safety net fund to attract voters.

"The accusation was groundless," Haruna said.

The PDR is known to have links with Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono. The party recently issued flyers titled "People's Economy Information", which some people saw as credit schemes for cooperatives.

"Those flyers are information kits so the public knows about credits," Haruna said. "Our party cannot do more than that. This party is not ruling yet, so it's not possible for us to meddle in the Ministry of Cooperatives or vice versa." (23/45/har/swe)