PPP starts anew
The Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) opened its four-day congress here on Sunday in which it will set its house in order in readiness for next year's general election. It plans to make significant gains next year, but unlike in previous campaigns, it will be vying with 17 new political parties which adhere to Islamic principles.
With more established political entities also gearing up for the poll scheduled for June 7, the competition should be tight and the rivalry should prove intense. Provided the election actually takes place.
Among the established political entities, Golkar will surely want to repeat their success of previous years and show the people that their support is genuine. On their part, the PPP and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) -- especially the faction led by Megawati Soekarnoputri -- have long dreamed of contesting a free election, the country's first since 1955.
The show of force made by the PPP at its congress opening ceremony on Sunday and the support mustered for a congress held by Megawati's faction of the PDI in Bali must have been intended to demonstrate the strong base of support these two parties both enjoy.
What is clear is that the PPP's leaders have long understood how tough the competition will be. To prepare themselves, the party will elect a new executive board to replace the outgoing one led Ismail Hasan Metareum. The party believes that a large part of the population, especially those living in rural areas, holds religious values closely entwined with their political beliefs. In an attempt to win part of this floating vote, the party has dropped the Pancasila state ideology and replaced it with Islam.
It has replaced the star which once adorned its flags and banners with the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine in Mecca. The symbol has a potent meaning for every Moslem. The Kaaba was in fact the PPP's chosen symbol until 1985, when the authorities ordered it to be replaced by a star.
Apparently the PPP now wants to make up for lost ground. With the Kaaba, even in a rigged poll, the party still managed to uproot Golkar in Jakarta, Aceh and South Kalimantan.
The outgoing PPP leaders might pride themselves on this maneuver, which comes hard on the heels of their bold debating during last month's special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). During the session, legislators from the party spoke up for the reform agenda, including curtailment of the military's role in politics.
The PPP's newfound courage seems in part an attempt to do penance for supporting Soeharto's reelection to the presidency in May, despite widespread public opposition. By supporting Soeharto, the PPP leadership willfully betrayed its supporters, to whom it promised during the 1997 general election campaign that it would work for political reform. It also disappointed most of its branch leaders, who themselves opposed reelection of Soeharto.
However, the betrayal did not surprise many political observers. Chairman Ismail had long been known for his readiness to compromise with members of the ruling political elite. Resignation seems to be the price he has had to pay for this wavering leadership.
The congress participants seem to have forgiven him because under his leadership the party has remained united, while its main rivals, Golkar and the PDI, have been plagued by bickering and infighting.
However, in the general election, voters will judge the performance of each party and the PPP's faults will be well remembered. The party will not help itself if the present congress fails to elect a strong new leadership and draft a convincing program for economic and political reform.
A free election will produce a new transfiguration of the political powers in this country, and should explode the myth that a certain group is the strongest because it commands millions of supporters. The poll is an arena in which only the fittest will survive.