Malang – Compared to their predecessors, followers of the Muhammadiyah Islamic group today are less wealthy, its chairman says.

"Previously many Muhammadiyah members were financially strong, so they could help turn the organization's wheels. This has changed gradually and now many members come from middle- and lower-income groups," Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin said on the sidelines of a seminar in Malang on Saturday.

Din said the change, which began in the 1970s, had indirectly impacted Muhammadiyah's efforts to realize its founding fathers' socio-economic vision.

The group's inability to access financial resources had forced its national and regional leaders to seek alternative means to keep the organization afloat, he said.

"Muhammadiyah will not regain its glory if it continues to fall economically short," Din told Antara.

Muhammadiyah will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012. As the oldest Muslim organization in Indonesia, it boasts more than 35 million followers.