Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri has pledged not to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, one of several demands of the powerful Muslim bloc in Parliament.
She also assured them that Islam would have a place in society without the risk of military sanctions, as well as cabinet posts, reported the official Iranian news agency, IRNA, quoting a news agency report on Tuesday.
Antara news agency quoted Said Pramono Anung, one of President Megawati's advisers as saying that "we don't have any choice but to form a partnership with the Muslim parties to sustain Megawati's presidency."
Antara quoted Indonesian political analysts as saying the move could help give her crucial support until the 2004 presidential election.
Mindful that her rise to the presidency last month was due in no small part to the Muslim parties, analysts said that apart from quietly backing Muslim leader Hamzah Haz to be her deputy, she also agreed to make other concessions.
Antara said a list of demands was drawn up by a coalition of parties which together control 30 percent of seats in Parliament-- the United Development Party (PPP), National Mandate Party, Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the Justice Party.
For one thing, the parties agreed not to challenge the Pancasila state ideology by pushing for the implementation of Sharia laws.
Having been dealt out of the game by the same parties in 1999 when they failed to back her presidential bid, the 54-year-old leader was adamant they not make gender an issue in the upcoming contest for the presidency - Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
