Fadli, Batam – The central board of Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, warned its members Thursday to avoid active involvement in political parties.

The admonition was made by Muhammadiyah general chairman Din Syamsudin in front of 200 participants at a working conference of Muhammadiyah Youth's Batam chapter in Riau Islands province on Thursday.

It was understood to preclude Muhammadiyah members actively involved in political parties from leadership and membership in Muhammadiyah.

"Political parties will experience certain ups and downs and Muhammadiyah shouldn't become a pawn. Muhammadiyah has no involvement with any party and agrees that it will not become involved," Din said.

"We will give a choice to members of Muhammadiyah who have become affiliated with political parties whether to stay with the party or to be with us."

Din noted that this was the policy implemented under a 20007 Muhammadiyah decree that addresses dual leadership situations.

Din suggested the reason for the timing of the public admonition was that the decree would be the subject of discussion and resolution by the Muhammadiyah Youth at the Batam conference.

"We are not pleased by association between members of the board of Muhammadiyah Youth and the newly established Matahari Bangsa Party, nor with recruitment efforts on the part of the National Mandate Party, which also target (Muhammadiyah Youth). This will cause a perpetual conflict," Din said. "Are these the types of activities where we wish to spend most of our energy?"

Din said when Muhammadiyah members chose involvement in political parties the religious organization would "simply let them go". However, after entering politics, they would no longer have the right to use Muhammadiyah's name, he said.

Din expressed the preference of the organization that the decree in question be adopted and enforced by concerned Muhammadiyah members themselves, rather than as a top-down intervention. "This is a collective decision, not my own," he said.

Muhammad Izul Muslimin, head of the central board of Muhammadiyah Youth, said that out of 45 members of Muhammadiyah Youth's central board, 30 percent were active committee members of political parties. "We cannot at present respond to the warning," said Izul Muslimin, indicating the matter would first have to be discussed with colleagues.

Nurcahyo, another member of the Muhammadiyah Youth central board, said the policy to restrict the involvement of Muhammadiyah members with political parties would meet with strong opposition among Muhammadiyah Youth circles. "The policy is irrational at a time when a large number of Muhammadiyah cadres have joined the committees of political parties."

He voiced general opposition to the decree for reasons including its lack of sanctions. The working conference, which continues through Sept. 8, is expected to issue recommendations on various issues, including the new statement regarding the prohibition on dual leadership.