PPP to embrace nationalism as party principles
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
To prepare for future political challenges, the Islam-based United Development Party (PPP) is considering a departure from its long-standing Islamic platform, for nationalism.
The party's deputy secretary-general Chozin Chuamidi said on Wednesday that the PPP's religious base was no longer effective to secure votes.
"Previous elections proved that sectarian parties have been abandoned by voters. The latest legislative election saw Islam- based parties obtain 17.5 percent of the vote between them," Chozin said as quoted by Antara.
Most people voted for secular parties, a fact which, according to Chozin, had inspired the PPP to consider a shift toward nationalism
"If we do not make significant changes, our voters will leave us," Chozin said, on the sidelines of the party's meeting to announce its decision to back Megawati Soekarnoputri and her running mate Hasyim Muzadi on Sept. 20.
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation.
The PPP was founded in 1973 as the fusion of several Islam- based parties and organizations, following the New Order government's decision to simplify the country's multiparty system.
In terms of votes, the PPP finished fourth behind the nationalist Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) in the general election, while based on seats in the House of Representatives, the PPP secured the third highest number, behind Golkar and the PDI-P.
Other Islam-based parties, such as the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the Reform Star Party (PBR), had no significant impact on the final results, although fellow Islam-based party -- the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) -- secured a surprising 45 seats in the House.
The newly established Democratic Party secured 55 seats, and saw its presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono emerge the front-runner ahead of the September runoff.
Chozin blamed the PPP's dwindling popularity on its leaders' ignorance of social welfare issues.
"That's why we have urged our new legislators not to focus on the party's ideology, but on social welfare," he said.
During the party meeting, the PPP's central board threatened to dismiss any member who does not support the Megawati-Hasyim ticket in the runoff.
The party leaders were responding to announcements made by various organizations affiliated with the party -- including the Ka'bah Youth Movement (GPK) and the Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood (Parmusi) -- that they will support Susilo and his running mate Jusuf Kalla.