Poet Emha a 'blessing' for PPP: Observers

Poet Emha a 'blessing' for PPP: Observers

SEMARANG (JP): Observers have applauded the decision of noted
playwright and poet Emha Ainun Nadjib to join the Moslem-based
United Development Party (PPP) and become one of its principal
vote-getters in next year's election campaign.

"He's a blessing for PPP and will improve the party's image,"
political scientist Ali Mufiz of the Diponegoro University told
The Jakarta Post here yesterday. "This is really fortunate (for
PPP) because Emha is a charismatic figure and has many followers
in the community."

"I think PPP will increase its share of the vote, though it
will still be a distant second to (the ruling) Golkar," Mufiz
said.

Another observer from the university, Thoyfoer, said Emha's
presence will help PPP attract more young voters. The poet, who
is known to be a critical scholar and has a great following among
young people, will be able to provide the party with "fresh and
original ideas", Thoyfoer said.

During PPP's 23rd anniversary celebrations in Surabaya, East
Java, on Sunday, Emha announced before some 20,000 supporters
that he will vote for the party in the 1997 general election.

To loud cheers, he read out his two-page statement entitled
Deklarasi Syahid (A Declaration of Martyrdom) and began to act as
a vote-getter straight away.

"In the name of Allah...I call on Moslems to give special
support to PPP. Moslems have to fight to defend the
truth...through PPP," he said.

"I reached this decision after I said my istiqarah prayers,"
he said, referring to a special prayer said when people are in
uncertainty over anything. "I know I will be hated by millions of
my friends, but I will face it as a risk."

It was also during the celebration that the party "adopted"
East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman into its fold by putting the
party's green jacket on him. The governor, also a former Golkar
leader, said, "I accept this jacket, although there will be
uproar (over it)".

In his speech, PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum called on
young people to voice their political aspirations through PPP. It
has been the party's intention to win the hearts of young people,
especially first-time voters of which there will be 20 million
next year.

Mufiz said that, seen from the perspective of a citizen's
political rights, Emha's decision was not extraordinary.

"He is a citizen with the right to choose and be elected, the
right to voice his political aspiration," Mufiz said. "However,
as he is also a public figure, his decision (to join PPP) becomes
especially interesting."

Mufiz said the majority of Moslems with above-average
intelligence who previously were more supportive of Golkar, will
now likely turn to PPP. He suggested that Golkar find a vote-
getter who is as charismatic as Emha.

"Emha is a great communicator," Thoyfoer said. "The fact that
there have been bans imposed on him and his performances only
makes him all the more appealing."

Emha has had several of his performances, often critical of
the government, banned by the authorities. One of his plays, Pak
Kanjeng, was banned in 1994.

The prolific writer also travels extensively to give speeches
on issues ranging from arts and culture to politics and religion.
It is in this role that he has often had to cancel appointments
because the authorities refused to let him speak.

Born in Jombang, East Java, in May 1953, Emha rose to fame in
the arts world by establishing the Dinasti Theater in his home in
Yogyakarta in the late 1970s. He and the theater later performed
in several cities in Java.

The blue-jeaned columnist is also affectionately known as kyai
mbeling or "naughty Moslem leader". (har/swe)