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.