PKS leaders ‘divided’ over presidential nominations

PKS leaders ‘divided’ over presidential nominations

Dicky Christanto , THE JAKARTA POST , JAKARTA | Wed, 03/04/2009 9:32 AM | National

A crack is appearing within the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), with its top brass split over which presidential candidates to support.

A faction led by PKS president Tifatul Sembiring has intensified moves to approach Vice President and Golkar Party chairman Jusuf Kalla, who recently expressed his readiness to run for president.

But another camp, led by PKS secretary-general Anis Matta, has approached both presidential hopefuls Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and Wiranto.

Last week, Tifatul and PKS co-founder Hidayat Nur Wahid met with Kalla at the PKS headquarters in Mampang, South Jakarta.

The meeting, which Kalla said was aimed at seeking a political alliance between Golkar and the PKS, was not attended by Anis for unclear reasons.

Speaking recently at his hometown of Makassar, South Sulawesi, Anis said Kalla was “not qualified” for the presidency.

In addition, he went on, recent surveys showed Kalla was far less popular than either Hamengkubuwono or People’s Conscience Party (Hanura) leader Wiranto, who is Anis’s father-in-law.

The apparent rift has sparked speculation of bickering within the Islamic-based party, which has rarely been embroiled in such an open confrontation between its leaders.

PKS senior executive Mahfudz Siddiq confirmed there were “different political maneuvers” by party leaders ahead of the legislative and presidential elections.

But he stressed the PKS would remain solid in the upcoming elections.

“Everything that might look different right now is actually part of our political communications strategy, so there’s nothing to worry about,” said Mahfudz, who chairs the PKS faction at the House of Representatives.

“We are still solid and upbeat about winning a significant increase of votes in the elections.”
He admitted several party leaders were seeking “political communication” with figures from other parties simultaneously.

However, this effort was only meant to communicate their political views with other parties, he was quick to point out.

Mahfudz said the only forum authorized to make substantial decisions by the PKS was a plenary meeting by its board of patrons.

“So if later on the plenary meeting results give rise to opposing opinions that could lead to open conflict, then you can call it a political fracture in the party,” he said.

“But until then, don’t assume too much.”

University of Indonesia political analyst Husni Umar said the wheeling and dealing taking place now was just part of the PKS’s efforts to reap free publicity.

The PKS is seeking to rake in 20 percent of votes during the April 9 legislative elections, a significant increase from the 7 percent it garnered in the 2004 polls.

Last year, the party’s national meeting in Bali recommended that to significantly raise its haul of votes, the Islamist PKS should embrace moderate Islamic groups and other factions from different religions.

The call sparked a dilemma among party leaders, with the PKS left to choose between abandoning its loyal and solid, but rather exclusive voter base, and reaching out to new voters from moderate and pluralist groups.