Muhammadiyah rules out becoming a political party

JAKARTA (JP): Muhammadiyah, an influential Moslem socio- education organization with 28 million supporters, is not going to become a political party, Lukman Harun, a senior member of the central executive board, said yesterday.

Lukman said Muhammadiyah helped establish Masyumi in 1945 along with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the Indonesian Islamic Association Party (PSII), and had formed the Indonesian Moslem Party in 1968.

"But since 1971, we have given up any intention of becoming a political party," he was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday. The group will stick to its current social mission, he added.

He was responding to questions on whether Muhammadiyah would become a political party following the recent establishment of several new Islamic parties in the country.

Similar questions have been posed to the leaders of Naldhatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Moslem social organization. Some NU leaders have said they were considering the prospect.

Muhammadiyah chairman Amien Rais was a significant leader in the reform movement this year that brought about the resignation of former president Soeharto last month.

Lukman said Muhammadiyah allowed its members to channel their political aspirations through any political party.

Commenting on the emergence of new political parties, Lukman, who is also a legislator from the dominant Golkar political grouping, said it was the right of any individual to do so.

"People have the right to set up a party. But they should abide by the law on political parties that is now being drafted. No one should disregard that new law."

He said he had no objection to the establishment of religious- based parties, pointing out that freedom of association was guaranteed in the 1945 Constitution.

The government of President B.J. Habibie is currently drafting new laws on political parties, elections and the structure of the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly. (byg)