NATIONAL DEMOCRATS COULD BECOME POLITICAL PARTY :OBSERVER

Banda Aceh, Feb 2 (ANTARA) - A political observer from Syiah Kuala University, Saifuddin Bantasyam, believes the newly declared National Democrat organization might eventually become a political party that would take part in the 2014 elections.

"I think there is the possibility the National Democrat organization formed in Jakarta on February 1, 2010 is to become a political party ahead of the 2014 general elections," Bantasyam said here Tuesday.

The Banda Aceh based-Syiah Kuala University law lecturer made the ramarks a day after Surya Paloh, the initiator of the National Democrat organization denied that the body would later become a political party.

Paloh who was flanked by co-initiator Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono after the declaration of the new organization in Jakarta Monday said, "We have not thought that far. To set up a political party is very easy. It can even be done at a coffee party. The National Democrat organization is different".

Paloh, who is a media mogul, said the National Democrat will focus on bringing about change in the community to build a better future. It will seek to ignite the people's spirit in the same way as in 1962 when Indonesia hosted the Ganefo (Games of the New Emerging Forces), he said.

Bantasyam made the prediction because the organization which was declared by 45 national figures contained many noted politicians.

"The backgroundd of the political figures who attended the declaration function made me believe that this organization which was also supported by regional and inter-faith representatives can turn into one of political parties to contest the 2014 general electiond," the observer said.

The 45 national figures who declared the National Democrat organization, apart from Surya Paloh and Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, included Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Siswono Yudhohusodo, Syamsul Muarif, Soleh Solahuddin, Syafii Maarif, Thomas Suyatno, Bachtiar Aly and Anies Baswedan.

In addition, Sri Sultan who is also the governor of Yogyakarta meanwhile said that the organization will also have regional and even village-level chapters. It will carry out not only national but also local programs, he said.

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