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Every town on Java has a santri (orthodox) quarter, called the Kauman, usually near both the main mosque and the central market and most often inhabited by traders and craftsmen. Roughly 'h of all Javanese are santri Muslims. There has always been conflict in Indonesia over those who want to see it turned into a more fundamentalist Islamic state and those who want to promote modern life. Orthodox right wing Muslims demand that the whole population observe religious holidays and that the government protect and encourage Islam. Two of the most serious rebellions since Indonesia gained independence have been Muslim-fomented, and several times Muslim extremists tried to assassinate President Sukarno. Since the 1972 elections, however, when there was a forced merger of 4 Muslim political parties into the United Development Party (PPP), Muslims have lost much influence. Senior generals around Suharto view Muslim militants as security risks and dislike the idea of a potent Islamic bloc in the People's Representative Council, the nation's highest policy making body.