PKS throws weight behind Amien

M. Taufiqurrahman and Tiarma Siboro Jakarta

Presidential candidate Amien Rais and his running mate Siswono Yudohusodo won the endorsement of the Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) on Wednesday, but it remains to be seen whether this support will improve their chances in the July 5 election.

PKS leader Hidayat Nurwahid said that among all of the candidates contesting the country's first ever direct presidential election, only Amien could be counted on to eradicate corruption and improve law enforcement.

"The pair, especially Pak Amien, also meet the criteria of not being power-thirsty, of being committed to the country's unity and the empowerment of the poor," Hidayat said.

The other presidential and vice presidential pairs contesting the upcoming election are Wiranto-Salahuddin Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla and Hamzah Haz-Agum Gumelar.

The decision to back Amien puts an end to speculation that the PKS would throw its weight behind Wiranto of the Golkar Party.

The PKS earned about 8.3 million votes in the April 5 legislative election, while Amien's National Mandate Party (PAN) grabbed some 6.5 million votes. The PKS and PAN are currently working together to form a faction in the House of Representatives.

Hidayat said no backroom dealing was involved in the party's decision to back Amien. "We must tell you that we did not want to receive seats in the Cabinet or anything."

Rahmat Abdullah, the chairman of the party's law-making body, Majelis Syuro, told The Jakarta Post the decision was made on Tuesday night during an amicable meeting. "There were no heated moments."

The endorsement was made after 70 percent of the 44-strong Majelis Syuro gave their endorsement to Amien.

Hidayat said most of the remaining members of the law-making body backed Wiranto. "However, a small number gave their support to the Hamzah Haz-Agum Gumelar ticket of the United Development Party (PPP)."

PKS secretary-general Anis Matta, who had been a staunch supporter of Wiranto and led a faction in the party that favored the Golkar Party candidate, said he welcomed the decision.

"We do not have to feel guilty because we failed to endorse Wiranto. And this also proves that an allegation that we were controlled by Wiranto and his money is not true," Anis said.

Noted scholar Muslim Abdurrahman doubted this move would improve Amien's chances in the election, saying it could even cost the candidate.

"I am afraid the PKS' support could prompt nationalists and secular people who have been supporting Amien during the campaign to withdraw their support," Muslim told the Post.

He also doubted that all of the PKS' supporters would vote for Amien on July 5.

"At the most 50 percent of PKS supporters will vote for Amien," said Muslim, adding that the endorsement came too late.

"During the one-month campaign, only 13 parties with nationalist platforms backed Amien," he said.

Arbi Sanit of the University of Indonesia, however, said the endorsement would increase Amien's chances because the PKS had a solid political machinery.

"I think the endorsement is solid since it was taken after a series of internal debates among the PKS leaders, who had initially wanted to support different presidential and vice presidential candidates," he said.

A member of Amien's campaign team, Din Syamsudin, said that by endorsing Amien the PKS had stayed true to its original party identity.

"This is the right decision and highlights the PKS' identity as a Muslim-based party that chooses to back candidates who will strive for its members' interests," he said.