Semarang – Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin has said his organization has no connection with a new political party called the National Sun Party (PMB) which was established by its young activists.

"Muhammadiyah has no links with any political party," Din was quoted by Antara as saying Saturday in Semarang, Central Java.

The PMB was set up by young Muhammadiyah members who were dissatisfied with the existing National Mandate Party (PAN) which they said had failed to fight for the aspirations of Muhammadiyah followers.

"I don't know and I have not been following the issue," Din said when asked about the prospects of PMB in the 2009 elections.

In his address to Muhammadiyah members in Semarang, Din said the second largest Muslim organization in the country was "going international" with seven branches already opened overseas.

The seven branches are in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Iran, Sudan, Damascus and the Netherlands.

In the near future, Muhammadiyah will also open offices in London, Canberra and Washington, Din added.