PAN must change image, Amien tells supporters

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.