Masyumi wins official seal of approval
Masyumi wins official seal of approval
JAKARTA (JP): Masyumi, a Moslem organization founded last November using the name of a defunct political party, won the official seal of approval when it formally registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs as a mass organization on Tuesday.
A statement signed by Agus Miftach, the chairman of the organization's executive board, said that Masyumi leaders are now planning to have an audience with the leaders of the Armed Forces (ABRI).
The registration came as a major surprise given that one of Masyumi's leaders had openly declared the organization's objective to become a political party. One of the group's immediate goals is to push for political reforms that would allow the establishment of new political parties outside the current three groups.
"In the near future Masyumi leaders would like to meet with ABRI leaders to forge a better working relationship among the nations potentials," said Agus Miftach said.
The organization has commended ABRI's attitude in recognizing the social dynamics and democracy in all fields, he said.
The new Masyumi, which stands for the Majelis Syarikat Ummat Muslimin Indonesia, drew criticism from remnants of the old Masyumi, who not only refused to give their support, but also urged the government to deny recognition.
The old Masyumi, which stood for Majelis Syuro Muslimin Indonesia, was one of the leading political parties in the 1950s. It was disbanded in 1960 after then president Sukarno saw that many of its leaders supported rebellions in Sumatra and Sulawesi.
Agus said that in registering, Masyumi submitted its statutes and in-house regulations to the home ministry.
The law requires that all new organizations register to receive official approval. A 1985 law sets the minimum conditions required, which include the recognition of Pancasila as the sole guiding base.
The organizational statutes of Masyumi consist of a declaration, introduction and 17 articles. The in-house regulations are made up of 82 articles which deal with the organization's membership, mechanism of work and structure.
On Wednesday during a meeting of the central working board, the nine-basic programs of Masyumi were formulated.
"With that, Masyumi is becoming more complete and is strengthening its existence as an organization," Agus said.(mds)