PPP to embrace nationalism as party principles

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.