PDI-P promises to review list of House candidates

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) attempted on Monday to appease critical Muslim groups by promising to review its list of legislative candidates, which is dominated by non-Muslims.

Secretary-general Alex Litaay, speaking on the sidelines of the second day of the party's closed-door leadership meeting, said the measure was meant "to strike a balance between Muslim and non-Muslim" candidates for the House of Representatives.

Litaay refused to go into detail on how the review would be undertaken, Antara reported. "We are going to make it balanced."

The party has faced severe criticism from various quarters, especially Muslims, because about 60 percent of its candidates are non-Muslims. Muslims make up 87 percent of Indonesia's 202 million population.

Election rules state parties contesting the polls were to finalize their list of legislators before the June 7 elections; no changes can be made afterward.

The three-day leadership meeting is being held to consolidate support of party chapters, particularly for chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidential bid.

Reasons have varied among the Muslim groups voicing opposition to Megawati's presidential bid. Members of Indonesia's largest Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cited Islamic laws which they believe bar a woman from heading an administration. Others, including NU chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, have cited counter religious arguments to back Megawati.

Another vote of support was made by Said Aqiel Siradj, the deputy chairman of the organization's law-making body Syuriyah, who was quoted by Antara as saying in Semarang that NU "permits women presidents".

He mentioned a recent poll in Java, Bali and Madura in which 70 of the 100 ulemas surveyed said they supported women presidents. Only 20 rejected the notion, and 10 abstained, he said.

"Nahdlatul Ulama conveys its congratulatory messages to PDI Perjuangan which has won the elections," he said.

Asked about other groups of NU ulemas who have outright rejected Megawati's presidential bid, Said responded: "That's the dynamics within NU... it's good."

In Yogyakarta, chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Matori Abdul Djalil called on the people to give Megawati a chance to lead the country.

"Let Mbak Megawati lead the Indonesian people. If we are democrats, we have to give the winning party a chance to lead this country," Matori said on Saturday.

"Our job now is to secure reforms."

He defined the general election victory as belonging to the three reformist parties, namely PDI Perjuangan, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and PKB.

Matori said the three parties must continue the campaign for reforms through the establishment of a coalition government.

"My suggestion is for Golkar to function as the opposition. It's been proved that the people no longer vote for Golkar. It means the people want changes," he said.

PDI Perjuangan won 33.7 percent of the vote and an estimated 154 seats in the House, Golkar ranked second with 22.4 percent and an estimated 120 House seats. PKB finished third, followed by the United Development Party (PPP) and PAN.

PAN chairman Amien Rais has indicated his party would join a coalition which did not include PDI Perjuangan and Golkar.

Presidency

Separately, political expert Arbi Sanit said on Monday that Megawati should break her persistent silence now PDI Perjuangan was declared the poll winner. He urged her to initiate an alliance with proreform parties as a step toward the establishment of a coalition government.

"She should start speaking out, airing her ideas, her party's programs in order to win the public support for her presidential bid," the University of Indonesia scholar said in a political discussion.

PDI Perjuangan's only choice was to ally itself with other parties in order to garner at least 351 of the House's 500 votes and win the presidency, he said. He suggested PAN and PKB as possible alliance partners.

He warned that Golkar's showing could pose a threat to the reform movement. "The reform agenda will stop running if Golkar and other pro-status quo parties dominate in the presidential election."

A threat also could come from the military, he said.

"The military will certainly come back to power if the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) ends up in a deadlock during the presidential election," he said.

Separately in Semarang, PPP leader A.M. Saefuddin reiterated on Monday that incumbent President B.J. Habibie was the most suitable candidate for the presidency.

"This is my suggestion... but it is up to the next People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) meeting to decide.

"Personally, I am certain that Habibie will be elected," he said, reasoning that Muslim legislators would stand united in the MPR session.

"Our votes together will beat those of PDI Perjuangan and Golkar. If all Muslim-based parties seats are united, they could have 180 votes in the House and if they voted for Habibie, he would win. This is how I think Habibie can beat Megawati."

Although PDI Perjuangan won the polls, he said: "She (Megawati) still has a long way to go. Remember, it's all up to the legislators to choose the future president.".(23/44/edt/har/rms/swe)