Muslim-based parties set to make deal on extra votes

Muslim-based parties set to make deal on extra votes

JAKARTA (JP): Eight Muslim-oriented parties are set to strike
a deal on allocating extra votes, a move they say conforms to the
Islamic principle of charity.

Justice Party (PK) chairman Nur Mahmudi Ismail said on the
sidelines of the party's electoral campaign here on Thursday that
the accord was not a concerted maneuver targeting rival parties.

"The plan is merely an effort to realize our intention to
unite our vision. We have exchanged ideas concerning the issue
before," Mahmudi said after addressing party supporters at Pluit
Stadium in North Jakarta.

Scheduled to sign the agreement on Friday are the PK, the
United Development Party (PPP), Crescent Star Party (PBB), Muslim
Community Awakening Party (PKU), Nahdlatul Ummat Party (PNU),
Islamic Community Party (PUI), Indonesian Masyumi Islamic
Political Party (PPIM) and Indonesian Syarikat Islam Party
(PSII).

According to the accord, some of the parties will receive
leftover votes from others to enable them to gain extra seats in
the House of Representatives.

Details of the vote merger and allocation of the extra ballots
will be discussed as soon as the agreement is signed, Mahmudi
said.

He said other parties would not be barred from the agreement,
adding that the eight prospective signatories set a May 30
deadline for others to participate.

Earlier, the PK, PPP and National Mandate Party (PAN), led by
Amien Rais, signed a joint communique for a united stance against
"status quo forces" and incumbent B.J. Habibie's presidential
bid. Although it was not explicitly stated, they were apparently
referring to Golkar, which has nominated Habibie as its sole
presidential candidate.

PPP, PNU, PKU and the Suni Party also plan an agreement on
extra votes.

But PAN, which also targets Muslim voters, has indicated its
refusal to join, saying it is committed to honoring the joint
communique it already signed with the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the National Awakening Party
(PKB).

PAN secretary-general Faisal Basri said his party, PDI
Perjuangan and PKB were scheduled to meet later on Thursday.

"Up to now we have yet to decide whether to follow up our
separate deal with PK or PPP with a more specific arrangement on
extra votes. I don't think we'll do it with them," he said.

When asked about his party's failure to lure PAN to join in
the extra votes arrangement, Mahmudi said: "Both of us share some
similarities, but it doesn't mean that we can coalesce. Each of
us is free to choose with which parties we will cooperate."

Driving force

Separately, PBB secretary-general M.S. Kaban said the decision
to share leftover votes among the eight Muslim-based parties
would serve as a driving force for them to win votes.

"We do not want to waste our constituents' vote. I believe if
we stick together, we may have a better chance of gaining more
seats."

He dismissed the possibility for the group of eight to welcome
parties which were not Muslim oriented. "To be realistic, it will
be very difficult for us to open the chance for parties which
share different tenets," Kaban said.

PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Dimyati Hartono welcomed the
planned agreement among the Muslim-oriented parties and said the
move was understandable.

"The map will become clearer for the voters to decide their
choices. This is good for our democracy," Dimyati said. (edt/amd)