Yogyakarta- Public Empowerment Council (MPM) of Muhammadiyah Central Executive (PP Muhammadiyah) did year-end reflection taking the theme "(If) People Sue" by inviting eviction victims, street vendors, farmers, pedicab drivers, and Emha Ainun Nadjib, a cultured man, at the auditorium of PP Muhammadiyah building on Jl. Cik Di Tiro, Yogyakarta, Thursday (29/12/2011).

According to the General Chairman of MPM PP Muhammadiyah, Said Tuhuleley, the event aims to reevaluate the government's performance for one year and its impact on poor people in urban and rural areas. “Many cases happen in this republic, starting from corruption to the problem of PSSI (Indonesian Football Association). That makes poor people get less attention. It's alright if they sue," said Emha. According to Emha Ainun Nadjib, mass organization such as Muhammadiyah, together with its instruments, has a big responsibility in providing support for poor people as has been done so far because institutions such as political parties get people's distrust. Emha, Novia Kolopaking's husband, says that bad government officials make poor people a sale object. "They (bad government officials) make people, such as farmers as a sale object by selling fertilizer," said he.

Similar to what Emha Ainun Nadjib says, the General Secretary of PP Muhammadiyah, Agung Danarto, on the same event also says there is indication that the government protects big businessmen more than poor people. Dispute cases between a company and local people in Papua, Mesuji, and Bima indicate the government's preference for businessmen than poor people. Agung Danarto also states that Muhammadiyah has been dedicating its power to defend poor people for 102 years. Muhammadiyah will keep giving its committment to help poor, marginalized, and helpless people to defend the policy which is not pro poor people.

(trans by hamzah - uhamka)