PAN must change image, Amien tells supporters

Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang

Entering its second national congress, the National Mandate Party (PAN) has to renew its image as a nationalist party which is open to people of different backgrounds to maintain its existence and to improve its luck in the 2009 general election, according to outgoing PAN leader Amien Rais.

"This second congress must be able to change PAN's image as an urban party belonging to a certain elite group. In the coming years, the party must come down to reach the people in the middle class and the grassroots level to maintain its existence," he said.

Speaking before 2,000 party cadres, Amien said he would no longer contest the current race for the party's leadership, but would let young and fresh figures lead the party in the coming five years.

"Nevertheless, my mind and heart will remain in the party and I will fully support whoever is elected to lead the party," he said.

He said that despite some failures, the party he co-founded in 1998 had contributed a lot in pushing the national reform agenda and in developing democracy.

"We have amended the 1945 Constitution, reviewed the law to allow direct presidential elections and election of local government heads, implemented regional autonomy and established the necessary institutions to develop a true democracy and to eradicate the culture of corruption.

"But, I take responsibility for my failure in the direct presidential election, which required not only a good personality and a real political platform, but mainly, much money," said Amien who along with running mate Siswono Yudhohusodo was defeated in the presidential election last year.

He said he was confident he would still be reelected if he joined the current election for the party leadership, "but this will not be healthy for the party which is waiting for young leaders."

So far, six PAN cadres have confirmed their candidacy for the party's top post soon after Amien announced he was not joining the race.

The six are Soetrisno Bachir, Hatta Radjasa, Didik J. Rahbini, Moeslim Abdurrahman, Fuad Bawazier and Afni Achmad.

Alvin Lie, a senior member of PAN and a member of the House of Representatives, was seen flying a hang glider over the Simpang Lima field in Semarang where the party held Thursday's rally.

Alvin's move drew the attention of Amien and his audience. Amien stopped speaking for a moment and asked the audience to watch Alvin as he maneuvered in the sky carrying a banner reading HR, the initials Hatta Radjasa, in support for Hatta's candidacy.

Meanwhile, former secretary-general of PAN Faisal Basri said it would be a sad development if the congress elected Fuad or Soetrisno whom he said did not have the competence to lead the party.

Soetrisno said he was optimistic about winning the election since he had visited PAN's regional branches over the last three months to win their support.

The three-day congress was scheduled to conclude on April 10.