PPP starts anew
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.