JAKARTA : An Islamist party is set to stamp its growing influence in Indonesia's upcoming general election. However, it rejects the notion that it plans to turn Indonesia into an Islamic state.

Tifatul Sembiring, president of the PKS party, comes across as an ordinary middle-class Indonesian. His western-style dressing is a departure from the stereotypical image of a leader from an Islamist party.

Its growing popularity has raised fears among certain quarters that the party may introduce more Islamic laws in Indonesia should it win in April's elections.

Mr Tifatul said, "PKS has no hidden agenda. Our principle in politics is democracy; egalitarian in economy - equality, opportunity; socially we want to build a civil society..."

PKS recently published its constitution and party platform. The 643-page book contains every single aspect of the party's struggle based on Islamic principles with universal appeal.

With greater transparency, PKS hopes it will triple its votes in the election - from just 7 per cent in 2004 to 20 per cent.

With the other Islam-based parties in disarray, such a target appears within reach.

Mr Tifatul said, "We will put forward our own candidate for president or vice-president if we garner 20 per cent of the votes. If PKS is in power, we will combat corruption, minimise corruption in the government. This is one of our missions."

So far, none of PKS's legislators has been implicated for corruption - a deep-seated problem in Indonesia's parliament and bureaucracy.

Not surprisingly, the party's clean image has drawn increasing support. In almost all surveys, PKS came in third as the most popular party behind the more established Golkar and PDI-P.

In the 155 local elections it has participated in, PKS' candidates won in more than half - with the rest split among the other parties.

Mr Tifatul said, "Looking at these indicators, there's proof of a wind of change. Indonesians now desire change - a change for the better. They see hope - a new hope for Indonesians."

Whether this new hope will last till April next year will also depend - among other things - on PKS' ability to shed its image of an Islamist party. To do that, PKS will be relying on its one million disciplined members.

They have been tasked to drum up support and bring in one-fifth of the total votes. That would likely make PKS an equal partner to the two big parties - Golkar and PDI-P - in the next government. - CNA/ms