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)