Muhammadiyah to question Amien over party founding

JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of Indonesia's second largest Islamic organization Muhammadiyah will convene today to question chairman Amien Rais over his reported plan to resign in order to lead the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Deputy chairman Syafi'i Ma'arif said in Yogyakarta Thursday that Amien had always insisted on the separation of Muhammadiyah from politics, including in PAN whose establishment will be formally declared tomorrow.

"The plenary meeting (today) will decide what we should do about Amien's position in the organization," Syafi'i was quoted by Antara as saying.

Syafi'i, who is also a close friend of Amien, said he was confident of Amien's loyalty toward the organization. However, if he decided to lead a political party, he should automatically relinquish his position in Muhammadiyah.

Amien has several times expressed his intention to resign from the 28-million-strong organization.

"Amien's activity with PAN is a political experiment that still needs to be seen whether it will be successful," Syafi'i said.

Amien, considered among figures who along with students spearheaded the push for reform earlier this year, has decided to join forces with senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad, political scientist Mochtar Pabottingi and others in establishing the new party. (swe)