Youths group calls Amien 'opportunist'

JAKARTA (JP): The National Youth Movement (GP Kebangsaan) has condemned Amien Rais, chairman of the People Consultative Assembly as a "political opportunist", exploiting the Islam banner for his own political interests.

GP Kebangsaan's chairman, Herry Karianing Cipto, said on Saturday, "Amien Rais is a political opportunist, abusing Islam in various political moves to fight for his group's interest. Such actions will certainly jeopardize political stability and national unity."

He said GP Kebangsaan, which was formed in 1998, is disappointed with numerous political adventurers holding seats in the legislature who hide behind religious movements to fight for their personal interests.

"Amien Rais and many other legislators are not aware of their new status as statesmen," he said, pointing to actions such as supporting a holy war (jihad) in Maluku and North Maluku, along with calls for a Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly to impeach the President.

Herry said the movement, which claims to have 900,000 supporters in Jakarta, including senior National Mandate Party senior executive Faisal Basri, would rally behind the President if there were unconstitutional attempts to unseat him.

Despite its defense of President Abdurrahman Wahid, Herry nevertheless pledged that the movement would remain critical of the government.

GP Kebangsaan's secretary-general, H.M. Isroi, said his organization has pressed the government and the House of Representatives to replace corrupt officials in the National Police, the Attorney General's Office, the Supreme Court and district courts in order to uphold the supremacy of the law. (rms)