Ramdhan Muhaimin, Jakarta – Although the 2009 general elections are still three years away, 27 seven new political parties have already registered with the department of Justice and Human Rights. The new parties range from the New Order Party to the Satria Piningit Party.

The 27 new political parties are the Generation Party (Partai Generasi), the Indonesia Young Awakening Party (Partai Indonesia Muda Bangkit), the Indonesian Advance Party (Partai Indonesia Maju), the Indonesian Archipelago Party (Partai Nusantara Indonesia), the Islamic Party of Unity (Partai Islam Persatuan), the Labour Solidarity Party (Partai Solidaritas Buruh), the Labour Party (Partai Buruh), the My Republic Party (Partai Republikku), the Indonesia Murba Party (Partai Murba Indonesia), the Marhaen Masses Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI Massa Marhaen) and the Marhaen Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI Marhaen).

Following these are the National Party of Concern for the People (Partai Peduli Rakyat Nasional), the National Solidarity Party (Partai Solidaritas Nasional), the Defence of the State Party (Partai Bela Negara), the Christian Democrat Party (Partai Kristen Demokrat), the New Order Party (Partai Orde Baru), the Sartria Piningit Party (Partai Sartria Piningit), the Party of Democratic Reform (Partai Demokrasi Pembaruan), the Crescent Star Party (Partai Bintang Bulan), the Indonesia Women's Christian Party (Partai Kristiani Indonesia), the National Party (Partai Nasional), the Peace and Prosperity Party (Partai Damai Sejahtera), the Indonesian Democracy Party (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia), the Peace and Prosperity Party of Reform (Partai Pembaharuan Damai Sejahtera), the Independent Peoples Party (Partai Rakyat Merdeka), the Democrat Prosperity Party (Partai Demokrat Sejahtera) and the Peoples Liberty Party (Partai Kemerdekaan Rakyat).

"These [parties] have only registered. Later there will still be a verification [process] that will determine which parties pass", said Justice and Human Rights Minister Hamid Awaludin at a working meeting with the House of Representatives Commission III at the parliament building in Senayan, South Jakarta, on Monday September 25.

Awaludin reiterated that the Department of Justice and Human Rights will only carry out the administrative registration of the new political parties. "Later there will be verification while waiting for the [revised] law on political parties", he said in an outburst of emotion. (aan/sss)

[Translated by James Balowski.]