Nograhany Widhi K, Jakarta – Political parties appealing to young people, which have been proliferating of late, arrived at the Department of Justice and Human Rights on the last day of registration to be verified as political entities. These parties are seeking to appeal to young people, the teenage social set and former activists who are still idealistic.
One of the most prominent of these is a party led by Sys NS, an icon of the teenager social set in the 1980s. He believes that his party, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia Party or NKRI Party1, will be able to pass the verification process.
This party is clearly targeting young people can be seen by the party’s consumes, such as colourful orange F1 pit-stop team clothing, and the party’s slogan “The Youngster Party”.
“Hopefully young people and women can go on to lead this nation”, said Sys, who was accompanied by 20 or so of his young subordinates when they went to the Department of Justice and Human Rights on Jl. HR Rasuna Said in the Kuningan area of Jakarta on Wednesday February 27.
Different again is the National Unity Party (PPN), which is led by prominent 1998 student activist Pius Lustrilanang. Lustrilanang, who was abducted by the Tim Mawar (Rose Team) during a student protest in 1998, said that his party would become a vehicle for 1998 exponent students. “This is an alternative party. The party could provide space for young people and activists. It is also to provide a place for them (1998 activists)”, said Lustrilanang.
There’s even a party whose slogan resembles the music group Slank. While Slank has the slogan “peace”, this party is called “PIS” – an abbreviation of “Partai Indonesia Sejahtera” or the Indonesian Prosperity Party. “PIS man! PIS man! PIS man!”, shout the party’s supporters while making the two figured sign of peace. Budiyanto Darmastono chairs the party.
Nor are prominent Pemuda Pancasila2 figures being left behind. Pemuda Pancasila chairperson Yapto Soelistio Soerjosoemarno has taken up with the Patriot Party. Also found in the party leadership are Marini Burhan, Soerjosoemarno’s sister and the former wife of violinist Idris Sardi, and actor Camelia Malik.
As well as actors, artist such as Eros Djarot leads the Freedom Bull National Party (PNBK). The final political party to register clearly using a young sounding name is the Youth Banyan Tree Party (PBM).
Will these youth orientated political parties be able to pass the verification process at the Department of Justice and Human Rights, then the General Elections Commission, and finally be able to participate in the 2009 elections? Let’s wait and see. (nwk/bal )
Notes:
1. NKRI – Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. A term which is often used in the context of nationalism and the desire to maintain the integrity of the Indonesian nation.
2. Pemuda Pancasila (Pancasila Youth) was formed by the army in October 1959 by the then military commander General A.H. Nasution, ostensibly to uphold the state ideology of Pancasila, but under former president Suharto the organisation became an association of notorious thugs and petty criminals who carried out dirty work on behalf of the regime.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
