PKS questions Boediono's faith

The Jakarta Post ,  JAKARTA   |  Fri, 05/15/2009 11:41 AM  |  Headlines

Negotiations between the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and representatives for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono about the nomination of Boediono as the vice-presidential candidate hit another wall Thursday, with the Islamic party questioning the Bank Indonesia governor's faith in Islam.

The fact Boediono is a Muslim who regularly attends Friday prayers at Bank Indonesia’s mosque was not enough to consider him a devout Muslim, claimed PKS president Tifatul Sembiring.

“Boediono has never been seen speaking to the Muslim masses. What our constituents see him as is a ‘nationalist’, which is not a proper representation of Islam,” he told a news conference after the closed-door meeting.

Tifatul said as SBY already represented the “nationalist” image, his running mate for the July 8 presidential election should represent “Islam” or “the ummah”.

Tifatul led the PKS representatives, including party secretary general Anis Matta and its House of Representatives faction chairman Mahfudz Siddiq, in the meeting with  SBY's aides — Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, State Secretary Hatta Radjasa and Democratic Party (PD) leader Hadi Utomo.

“SBY’s representatives explained his reasons for Boediono’s nomination. One spokesman said the President considers Boediono a man capable of overcoming troubled times during the global financial crisis,” Tifatul said.

Tifatul said as the talks reached a deadlock Thursday, the PKS will now meet the President directly Friday to determine the party's final stance on whether it will remain allied with SBY's PD for the presidential race.

“A combination of a nationalist and 'Ummah' representative is essential. A Javanese and non-Javanese combination is also very important and that is why it SBY should choose a non-Javanese running mate as well.”

Tifatul said the PKS submitted three names to SBY’s aides for consideration as the vice-presidential candidate.

“The first name came from PKS. If SBY had a problem with our suggestion, we proposed a second name from one of the other parties in our coalition. Finally we also nominated a non-partisan professional who we believed was a proper representation for the ummah.”

Tifatul refused to reveal the alternative candidates' names, citing ethical reasons.

Separately, senior PD executive Syarief Hassan said the decision on Boediono's nomination was
"final".

The PKS was the first party to pledge allegiance to the PD for the July election. Three other Islamic-based parties — the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP) — then followed suit.

However, both the PKS and PAN threatened to quit the coalition with PD in protest against Boediono's vice-presidential nomination. (hdt)

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Juss (not verified) — Fri, 05/22/2009 - 2:53pm

agree with izzudin, SBY is good enough, but d coalition with PKS, makes me not choosing him. Fanatic moslem like PKS will only destroy Indonesia. At least, glad to know SBY didnt choose his VP from PKS.

Ahmad joko (not verified) — Fri, 05/22/2009 - 1:50pm

Oh my God, Mr Tifatul...
Please do not destroy our Indonesia!

Anis (not verified) — Thu, 05/21/2009 - 6:01pm

having read this news, i am very disappointed. what can Indonesian get as benefit from the leader like this person and his political party? nothing!

Izzuddin (not verified) — Thu, 05/21/2009 - 11:39am

Firstly, Boediono was nominated for the job of VP and not as a member of the Ulema. His strength of faith, which is a private matter, should not be a criterion.

Secondly, the Muslim ummah in Indonesia is not an independent state but an integral part of the republic. I suggest that any president or VP who adheres to the oath of allegiance represents the Muslim majority and the other minorities in that all are fellow Indonesians and supposedly equal citizens.

What the PKS terms 'Muslim enough' is really 'wahabi enough'.

I wish the PD would get rid of the PKS from their coalition. It is the presence of the PKS that makes me nervous to vote for SBY.

Iain — Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:30am

And in other articles posts there are still people defending PKS claiming they are secular.

David K. — Tue, 05/19/2009 - 11:24am

It's amusing the amount of, "Why didn't you choose me, me *stamps feet* I was your first friend wasn't I?" attitude is coming from the PKS and other Islamic Parties.

What someone said down made more sense in saying, "what type of islam are you?" It should be asked how Islam is enough? Who are they to dictate when someone is Islamic enough? Since when were they the faith thermometer? I could go on and on with that.

I am not a true SBY supporter considering his lack of decisive actions in the political field and in guiding our nation during his term in office, but he made the right choice in choosing someone he felt was someone who could assist him in the future. I wonder if he had chosen a VP that was Islam enough for the PKS and other Islamic Parties would the SBY (if he won) have a crow sitting on his shoulder through his next term saying, "That isn't Islam enough."

Again what others have said but perhaps in different words, "The President and VP are supposed to be representatives of the entire nation of Indonesia, not just a select group with nefarious agendas for our Nations future, and should represent the wants and needs of every man woman and child no matter race, or religion or social economic status."

Andrew2410 — Fri, 05/15/2009 - 3:48pm

The President and Vice President have a duty to represent ALL the people of Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua. Including the Muslim majority, but also including everyone else, equally. This is surely a defining element of democracy.

Anyway, what is wrong with being a Nationalist? I would have thought that was a must in order to lead this Nation.

Andrew

Atmo Saliyo (not verified) — Fri, 05/15/2009 - 12:55pm

what kind of Islam are you Mr. Tifatul?
in what country are you living?
people like you and your party only bring negative impact to the unity of Republic of Indonesia

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