The former leader of the largest Muslim group in Indonesia and possibly its next Vice President says its time for the religious group to rule the country. Hasyim Muzardi resigned as leader of Nadlatul Ulama to contest the election as President Megawati's Vice Presidential running mate. The pair are to face the leading team of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla in the do-or-die second round in September.
Presenter/Interviewer: Karon Snowdon
Speakers: Hasyim Muzardi, President Megawati's Vice Presidential running mate
Snowdon: The team of President Megawati and Hasyim Muzardi surprised most pundits in July by seizing second place from former General Wiranto to make it to the September run-off.
The former leader of the 40-million strong Nadlatul Ulama or NU says there wont be any surprises the second time around. Hasyim Muzardi says the NU vote was split three ways in the July election but that problem won't exist in September.
He says Solahuddin Wahid, his former NU deputy, and running mate of failed Presidential candidate Wiranto, has promised his support along with millions of NU votes. And at the weekend, Hamzah Haz, who came last in the July vote has pledged the support of his small Muslim Party, the United Development Party. Hasyim Muzardi adds its time for NU because of its size, to rule the country.
Muzardi: NU is the largest Muslim organisation, and moderate Muslim organsition in Indonesia, must rule the state, must rule the country.
Snowdon: Does that mean NU is changing from being a social and religious organisation, to being a political party? Muzardi: Oh no, certainly not. Because it's only to elect the person, not all the behaviour of NU. The behaviour of NU in daily [life] is not to work in politics. This [doesn't mean] changing from social to political party, no.
Snowdon: How confident are you of winning the September second elections with President Megawati? Muzardi; I am confident because in the first round we had many difficultes, but now the difficulties are none because NU can be united. Candidate is only one, me.
Snowdon: In the first round election it was said there was very little public confidence in Mrs Megawati's government. Won't that remain an issue, and perhaps be an even more deciding factor the second time around when she is one of only two candidates? Muzardi: Performance with Mrs Megawati is so low, therefore it must be upgraded. We can improve the performance little by little and slowly, but me from Nadhlatul Ulama can support the performance of Megawati in the grass-roots.
Snowdon: NU has constantly denied it acts like a political party and many of its religious leaders say they don't direct their communities on how to vote.
But of course along with his own immense personal following, the support of NU was an essential part of former President Abdurrahman Wahid's success.
The NU vote is likely to be more split than Muzardi wants to believe but he says he's confident also of the backing of Golkar, the largest political party and responsible for keeping dictator Suharto in power for thirty years.
Muzardi: President Megawati now makes the connection between PDI-P and Golkar.
Snowdon: She's talking with Golkar now? Muzardi: Yes. And these [talks] are still in process. But I think in the next week, we will have a conclusion about the connection between PDI-P and Golkar, I think.
Snowdon: The political alliances being made in the September run-up may or may not have a major influence on voters. Exit polls at the July 5th election indicate many NU members voted for former General Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
And now he's joined forces with Amien Rais, who came fourth with15 per cent of the vote in July. He's the current Speaker of the Assembly and a former chairman of Muhammadiyah – the country's second-largest Muslim group.
Amien's reputation for incorruptibility will no doubt help in the race which pits the two major religious groups in opposing camps.