The Committee of Action and Solidarity for Munir, or Kasum, and the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, or Kontras, said they were "troubled" by news that Muchdi Puropranjono has bid to be the chairman of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organization.

"We welcome Muhammadiyah's 46th national congress but we are troubled upon learning that Muchdi is one of the candidates for Muhammadiyah Chairman. We are worried for Muhammadiyah's future if the organization chooses a troubled character like Muchdi Puropranjono to their executive board," Kontras said on its Web site.

Muchdi is one of 39 candidates running for the top post of the Muslim organization, along with Din Syamsuddin, the incumbent general chairman, and Yunahar Ilyas, the head of Muhammadiyah's fatwa body.

Muchdi's candidacy has already drawn criticism because he is a former senior intelligence officer who has been accused of ordering the murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib. According to Kontras, the murder case of Munir is still being investigated by a number of legal institutions.

"A Judicial Commission has conducted an investigation on the judges handling the murder case and the result will soon be made public. Muchdi is also very much related to the abduction of pro-democracy activists in 1997-1998," Kontras said.

"Muhammadiyah is a moderate religious organization with a distinguished humanitarian image which uses peace to educate the followers. This organization has held an important role nationally and internationally in promoting world peace. A character like Muchdi Puropranjono will make it difficult for Muhammadiyah in their humanitarian work," said the Web site.

Kontras requested Muhammadiyah to leave Muchdi's name out of the candidacy. "We believe Muhammadiyah still has other cadres who are fit [to be chairman] and possess good integrity in pursuing the organization's humanitarian vision for the Indonesian people."