PKS vows to promote pluralism

PKS vows to promote pluralism

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Everywhere they go, leaders of the Prosperous Justice Party
(PKS) find themselves repeatedly having to convince people of
their friendly ideals for the country.

While their rallies are massive and peaceful, and their
politicians are known to be clean compared to others, non-Muslims
and Muslims who do not consider themselves devout are turned off
by the party's strong Islamic image -- female attendants are all
wearing head scarves and men and women are clearly separated.
What would become of the rest of us if they gained power?

In a visit to The Jakarta Post on Friday, PKS leader Hidayat
Nur Wahid stressed that PKS focuses on Islam's universal values
and how they should not be neglected and abused at the individual
level -- and also that the party aims, in time, to be inclusive.
Thousands of Christians from South Maluku have already requested
to become members, party leaders say.

"We no longer have any problem coexisting with people of
different religions, races or ethnic groups. The Islamic teaching
that we promote is one that provides protection for minority
groups and freedom to exercise their rights," Hidayat said.

Islamic values include honesty and virtue, said
Zulkiflimansyah, who heads the party's economic policy
department. These values should form the base of all economic
activities, he said. The United Kingdom-educated economist
briefly explained the party's vision that would appeal to
proponents of the mainstream economy: A strong industrial-based
competitiveness, which should be boosted given the opportunity
provided by liberalization.

If the local industry thrives, it would generate much needed
income and employment, he added.

To that end, the government must push toward a conducive
climate for industry by wiping out "invisible costs". Meanwhile
the party should work toward a community that is committed to the
above values, he said.

Hidayat also denies the exclusive image of the party -- the
PKS combines the communities of "the mosque, the pesantren
(Islamic traditional schools), and the campus" including the
"little people".

He said PKS has taken a different path from other Islamic-
leaning parties such as the Crescent Star Party (PBB) with
regards to the incorporation of the Jakarta Charter (a term
referring to an additional seven words requiring Muslims to abide
by Islamic law) in the amended 1945 Constitution.

Although straying from the course taken by leading parties to
block any amendment to Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution,
Hidayat said PKS promoted the adoption of an Indonesian version
of the "Medina Charter" (not the Jakarta Charter as reported
earlier), a document from the era of the Prophet Muhammad,
wherein subscribers of all faiths, including Jews, were given
freedom to exercise their beliefs.

The Medina Charter was the answer to two main fears raised by
the Jakarta Charter -- discrimination against non-Muslims and
eventual disintegration, Hidayat said.

He added that the party has also built a good relationship
with other religious organizations in the country.

"During the buildup to the U.S.-led war in Iraq, we staged a
peaceful rally with members of the Indonesian Communion of
Churches (PWI), the Bishop's Council of Indonesia (PGI) ...".
Hidayat added that in the wake of the Christmas bombings in 2000,
he took part in a peace campaign along with priests Franz Magnis
Suseno and Mudji Sutrisno.

The fact that most PKS members were university graduates also
helps in shedding the image of a medieval Islam. "Our core party
members are former student activists who are used to
differences," Hidayat said.

Zulkiflimansyah said the bulk of educated members would easily
come to terms with people of different faith.

Currently, the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front
(KAMMI), with branches across Java, is the party's strongest arm.

PKS also claims to be true to its ideals of a corruption-free
society. "In a society where corruption is deeply rooted, it is
almost impossible for a legislator to stand up against
corruption, but we can proudly say that our members are among
those few," he said.

Hidayat said PKS in the 2004 general elections will capitalize
on its anticorruption stance and quality membership to reach the
target of between 5 percent and 7 percent of votes, a significant
increase of 1.4 percent in the 1999 election.