Anas Should Free Himself From Yudhoyono's Patronage: Historian

Pekanbaru, Riau, May 24 (ANTARA) - Newly elected Democrat Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum should have the courage to free himself from Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's patronage to develop the party in the future, a historian said.

"Anas should emerge from Yudhoyono's shadows. It means that he must be brave enough to make his own decisions and take his own positions, although he should continue to give a place to Yudhoyono," noted historian Anhar Gonggong said here on Monday.

Speaking at a seminar on National Awakening, organized by the Riau Communication and Information Office, Anhar was commenting on Anas's election as the Democrat Party's new leader at the party's second congress in Bandung, West Java, which was concluded on Sunday night.

The noted historian was of the opinion that Anas Urbaningrum should be able to prove that the party was capable of continuing to win the hearts of the people without Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

It was undeniable that Yudhoyono was the decisive factor in the Democrat Party's consecutive wins in the past two general elections in Indonesia but Anas had gradually to try to end this dependence, he said.

Anhar said that besides strengthening the party's internal management, Anas should find a figure who could emulate Yudhoyono's success in winning the hearts of both the domestic and international communities.

He added that Anas's efforts to find a figure to replace Yudhoyono would be a key factor for the Democrat Party to win the 2014 presidential election.

"Anas is too little known to be nominated for president in the 2014 election. Therefore, there should be another figure who is able to convince the Indonesian people, and also win the support of the international community," Anhar said.

The historian also expressed hope that Anas Urbaningrum would be able to make the Democrat Party struggle for the people's interest, because there was the impression the Democrat Party had yet to improve the "color" of national politics.

"In my view, the Democrat Party is just like the other political parties that have yet to make any significant difference in the country," Anhar said.