PKS throws weight behind Amien

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.