Never one to take baby steps, media magnate Surya Paloh said on Wednesday that neither he nor his recently formed social organization was the type to just sit back and watch, signaling once again that the National Democrats would be his political vehicle to contest the 2014 elections.
"We do not want to rest our arms. We will not become part of the audience. We have decided to be active and provide the people with choices," Surya said.
This month, Surya threw a massive celebration at Istora Senayan in Jakarta to declare the formation of the National Democrats with Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, a prospective vice presidential candidate in 2014.
The sultan himself had once announced his intention to run for president but canceled his plans after failing to attract a political party to support his bid.
Following Wednesday's inauguration of the central figures at the organization, Siswono Yudohusodo, who chairs the organization's council of expert staff, called for the acceleration of legal action against those involved in the Bank Century case, as party factions with the House of Representatives' special committee soon to announce their findings about the Rp 7.6 trillion ($710 million) government bailout.
"There is no other way but to speed up legal proceedings. A firm action against anyone involved must be taken," Siswono said.
Surya lost the battle for Golkar Party chairmanship to Aburizal Bakrie, who was central in uniting the faction with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party-led coalition.
Days after the bailout of Bank Century was sanctioned in November 20008 by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Vice President Boediono, the Bank Indonesia governor at the time, the lender was looted by its owner and primary shareholders.
Aburizal has allegedly pushed the House inquiry into the case, while he denying that he was seeking to have Sri Mulyani removed as finance minister amid an ongoing clash over alleged tax evasion by Bakrie group companies.
Surya on Wednesday said the National Democrats planned to get involved with uplifting the lives of the masses by focusing on humanitarian work as well as pursuing various social, educational and agricultural programs.
The group wants to ensure that Indonesia remains solid in the future, Surya added, because people haven't been showing much interest lately in issues concerning developing the nation.
"The people's values have deteriorated. It has devolved from solidarity to materialism and individualism," Surya said, adding the change in outlook was the reason the National Democrats were calling on Indonesians to become part of his organization, to guarantee a better future.
The National Democrats have pledged to see through a number of programs, including those on agriculture, by providing farmers with free paddy seeds and goats, and sponsoring the building of five elementary schools in remote regions.
Meutya Hafid, head of the National Democrats' organizing committee, earlier did not rule out the possibility that the organization was the beginning of a political party, but said the group would gauge the public's reaction first. (JG, Antara)