A new political party has been launched in Indonesia by the former leader of the Muslim Muhammadiyah movement, Amien Rais.

Speaking in a Jakarta sports hall in front of about ten thousand people, he said his National Mandate party would fight next year's general election on a platform of democracy, progress and social justice.

He also indicated that his party may be willing to form a coalition government with other reform-minded parties.

Dozens of political parties have been formed in Indonesia since President Suharto resigned last May.