Jakarta – Activists and professionals have stepped up protests against statements that a woman should not lead the world's largest Moslem-populated nation, reports said here Tuesday.
Some 22 non-government organisations issued a joint statement Monday saying discrimination against women for the job as president was political intrigue "which greatly offends women," the Jakarta Post daily said.
The statement, issued in Semarang, Central Java, by women's, students, Moslem and Christian organisations targetted Moslem scholars and politicians who have cited Islamic teachings as barring a woman from political leadership.
"We condemn such harassment and insults and urge the political elite and those in power to stop these political tricks and debates focusing on women to gain power," the statement said.
Furore has been stirred by opposition leader Megawati Sukarnoputri, whose Indonesian Democracy Party-Struggle (PDIP) is leading in the vote count following the June 7 elections.
The Semarang protest came on the heels of a similar protest in Jakarta on Sunday involving 284 activists and professionals and 22 other non-governmental organisations.
The protestors also issued a statement condemning gender discrimination in politics as "unconstitutional." They pointed to UN conventions ratified by the government since 1953 which guaranteed women's participation in politics.
Moslem scholars have been divided on the issue with separate groups airing their views for or against the leadership of a woman.
The controversy erupted after the Moslem United Development Party which is trailing in fourth place in the incomplete vote tally said it will only back a male candidate for the next presidency.
The new president is scheduled to be elected in November from the legislature formed after the elections.
Although it named no names, the PPP statement was obviously directed at Megawati, the daughter of the country's first president Sukarno, whose PDIP has clinched twice as many votes as the second-placed ruling Golkar Party.
Indonesian President B.J. Habibie Monday said women were equal in politics, while Home Affairs Minister Syarwan Hamid has said the country's constitution had no provision barring a woman candidate for the presidency.
The constitution only stipulates that the president shall be a native-born Indonesian and, together with the vice president, shall be elected by majority vote by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the highest legislative body.
Megawati has so far remained silent on the issue. But PDIP officials have said the party, which nominated her as sole presidential candidate last at its congress last year, has no intention of seeking another candidate.