Without Gus Dur, PKB will 'definitely lose lots of voters'

Mon, 05/12/2008 10:51 AM  |  National

The internal rift within the National Awakening Party (PKB) has split the party into two factions: dismissed chairman Muhaimin Iskandar on one side and chief patron Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid on the other. The two factions held separate extraordinary meetings and each elected a new patron and chairman. The rift, however, is jeopardizing the party's chances in the 2009 elections. Monday is the deadline for the Home Ministry and the General Elections Commission (KPU) to decide which of the two factions is legitimate and eligible to contest the elections. The Jakarta Post's Niken Prathivi spoke to Sukardi Rinakit, a researcher with the Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicate on the issue. Below is an excerpt from the interview.

Question: What comments do you have on the internal conflict within the National Awakening Party (PKB)?

Answer: I'm really concerned about what is going on in the party. Ever since it was established, I personally have had high expectations for the party's vision on pluralism and cultural Islam. It has also led young politicians to speak up, which I think has been very interesting for Indonesia.

The party has had several disagreements among members, such as between Matori Abdul Jalil (defense minister during Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidency) and Alwi Shihab (foreign affairs minister during Gus Dur's presidency and coordinating minister for the people's welfare during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's tenure before being replaced by Aburizal Bakrie), sometime ago, but it managed to keep a hold on its voters between 1999 and 2004 because Gus Dur was there.

The PKB has a strong connection with Gus Dur. The current conflict is between Gus Dur and its chairman. So if the PKB, which is the only party to have visions for pluralism and multiculturalism in the country, splits up and dissociates itself from Gus Dur, I will regret that.

What is the reason behind the conflict?

Internally, Muhaimin and some others in the party are trying to accelerate their political careers to gain privileges in power and wealth by lobbying parties outside the PKB.

Meanwhile, Gus Dur wants the party to hold on to its vision and support him or another candidate whenever one of them runs in an election.

Gus Dur was very upset when he found out his party's organizers were willing to support other parties in the election next year.

Externally, there are some parties, such as the incumbent President, who are interested in having the PKB's support in terms of votes because it has some 13.8 million voters nationwide.

These two colliding situations are causing the PKB collapse.

What implications does the conflict have for the PKB and Indonesian politics in general?

I think if the PKB continues to use its current symbols, which are deeply related to Gus Dur, for its voters, the party will be able to maintain votes in next year's election. But if Gus Dur is officially cut off from the PKB, the party will definitely lose lots of voters.

Why? The PKB's strength is Gus Dur. The party's voters, who are mostly nahdliyin (followers) in rural areas, are faithful and give their loyalty solely to Gus Dur personally. They don't read newspapers or watch the news on television so they simply pay attention to other aspects of the organization.

For Indonesian politics in general, I don't think the conflict has much of a significant impact at all.

If the PKB really does split up, which side do you think will run in the election?

Considering the government has already given its support to Muhaimin, I guess he will have the right to claim the PKB for next year's election. But I don't know yet for sure because Gus Dur's side may lobby the government. I'd say the chances are equal.

Muhaimin has full support from the government but not from Gus Dur. It seems that Gus Dur is still standing his ground.

He is. That was why Muhaimin asked some kiai (clerics) to try to persuade Gus Dur to come to his faction's extraordinary meeting (on May 2-4) just to get the attention of the party's loyal voters.

Which parties will benefit most from the possible splintering of the PKB?

The PKS (Prosperous Justice Party) and PAN (National Mandate Party) will get extra voters because both parties are religion-based, and of course the incumbent President.

Is there any chance the KPU will drop the PKB from the list?

I don't think so, because the commission has approved Muhaimin's registration. Besides, the incumbent President still needs the party's voters. I guess he is preparing his strategy to lobby Gus Dur.

And what should the President do?

He would be better off striking a deal with Muhaimin than with Gus Dur because Muhaimin, with his medium track record in politics, would support him, whereas if Gus Dur were to run in the election he would become one of its competitors.

Any suggestions for the PKB?

For Muhaimin, I suggest he have a little patience and let go of any political deals to settle the conflict with Gus Dur. As for Gus Dur, I think it would be better for him to be open to youngsters, in terms of their opinions and states of mind, for the sake of his party.

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