Yuliawati, Jakarta – A.M. Fatwa, a founder and the chairperson of the National Mandate Party (PAN), believes that the formation of the Muhammadiyah Mandate Party (PAM), which is to be launched this afternoon, is a warning for his party.

According to Fatwa, Muhammadiyah is a principal and important basis for PAN. “Without Muhammadiyah, PAN it is as if it has no soul and feet”, he said at the parliament building in Jakarta on Wednesday March 9.

Fatwa believes that PAN must provide a proportional place for Muhammadiyah cadre so that the new party will not grow. “PAN must provide a real place for PAM cadre who have made a huge contribution to the formation of PAN”, said the deputy-chairperson Philosophy Institute of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Board.

Fatwa said he understands the reasons behind the idea of establishing PAM as a political party which aside from ideological reasons was also triggered by the disappointment of Muhammadiyah cadre within PAN. “They felt that their interests were not being fully accommodated, particularly at the time of the nominations for legislative members”, he said while explaining that PAN’s transition to becoming a political party is already a central concern for his party’s leadership.

[Translated by James Balowski.]