Three more political parties announce their establishment
Three more political parties announce their establishment
JAKARTA (JP): Three more new political parties recently
declared their establishment, bringing the number to 62, though
not all have registered at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The three are the Free Nation Party (PKM), the Nahdlatul
Ummat, and the Indonesian People's Strife and Aspiration Party
(PPARI).
The Free Nation Party and PPARI officially declared themselves
yesterday while Nahdlatul Ummat Party declared its establishment
on Sunday.
The Free Nation Party, which was registered as the 55th party
at the ministry, said it would fight for equal rights for every
group in society and for a clean government.
The party is led by a presidium whose members come from the
so-called "nine pillars" that encompass existing religious groups
in the country and the Chinese-Indonesian community.
Idham Chalid and Sjukron Ma'mun, two noted scholars from the
largest Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama, were expected to
lead the Nahdlatul Ummat Party, the establishment of which has
won the support of Moslem scholars in 23 provinces.
Syarifuddin Harahap, chairman of another new party, the
Republic Party, said his party was ready to enter the political
arena. It was even ready to establish a "shadow cabinet".
He also said his party was ready to ally itself with other
parties if they failed to win a majority in the next general
election.
He said the party was setting up chapters in provinces and
regencies across the country.
Many observers have expressed concern over the burgeoning of
political parties and warn that it could jeopardize national
unity.
Subkey Latief, a spokesman for Malaysian Moslem parties (PAS),
urged Indonesian Moslems to join only one big and strong party.
"The appearance of numerous political parties in Indonesia is
good for democracy, but it would be better if all Moslem people
in that country unite in a big party," he said as quoted by
Antara.
The government is allowing a multiparty system in the general
election scheduled to be held in May 1999.
The government has drafted three new laws on general
elections, political parties and on the function of the House of
Representatives and of the People's Consultative Assembly. (rms)