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n what could be seen as an effort to squeeze votes out of devout Muslims, the Islamist United Development Party (PPP) has declared itself ready to strike a deal with the vigilante organization the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) even going so far as nominating Munarman, the organization’s outspoken figurehead, as a legislative candidate.

Religious Affairs Minister and PPP chairman Suryadharma Ali believes that Munarman is well-qualified for the job.

“He comes highly recommended. He is knowledgeable and a lawyer — a perfect fit to be active in politics.”

If Munarman is nominated at all, it will likely be to represent South Sumatra, his home province.

Suryadharma has no problems with the image of FPI, well known for the promotion of violence. and destruction of preperty.

“Let’s say the FPI is a radical organization, should we stay away from them or embrace them? I think we should embrace them,” Suryadharma said, suggesting that the FPI could make a positive contribution to the country’s politics if they were welcomed into the system.

In response to Suryadharma’s offer, Munarman said he had not yet made any decision.

“I haven’t made any decision yet. I need to conduct an Istikharah prayer first before I accept the honor. But this is still an offer from Pak Suryadharma Ali and I thank him for that,” Munarman told kompas.com.

Other than Munarman, the PPP is expected to enlist a family member of Panji Gumilang, suspected leader of the Indonesia Islamic Movement (NII).

“God willing we will nominate Panji Gumilang’s son. We just need to confirm with him,” Suryadharma said.

Snuggling up to the FPI and the NII could be seen as part of a strategy by the PPP to remain an exclusively Islamic party going against the trend among Muslim-based parties to go secular.

PPP executives have declared that the party would only nominate Muslims to run in 2014.

Faced with the prediction that Muslim-based parties will lose significant votes to secular parties, some Islamist parties have begun to woo secular voters.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) is planning to be less visually Islamic and more inclusive during campaigns.

The National Awakening Party (PKB) plans to increase the number of non-Muslim members to develop the party’s inclusivity.

Suryadharma himself is no stranger to controversy as a minister.

In September last year, responding to a clash between the Sunni majority in Sampang, Madura and the Shia minority, Suryadharma said that the conversion of the latter would be the best way to prevent violent outbreaks between the two sects.

Soon after he was appointed as chairman of the anti-porn task force in March last year, Suryadharma proposed a ban on mini-skirt under the country’s tough anti-pornography law.