Youths group calls Amien 'opportunist'

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)