[ppi] [ppiindia] Opinion: Indonesia in the grip of religious fervour

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http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Sunday/Columns/20060730074052/Article/index_html

Opinion: Indonesia in the grip of religious fervour
30 Jul 2006
AMY CHEW 

Islamists are posing a threat to the pluralistic make-up of Indonesia. They 
have wrested control of some regional legislatures and imposed Syariah, 
although this is against the secular Constitution, writes AMY CHEW.

BACK in 1998, student activist Syafik Alielha braved bullets, tear gas and 
beatings, along with thousands of other students, to protest against former 
president Suharto's autocratic rule.

When Suharto stepped down on May 21, 1998, an era of unparalleled freedom 
unfolded - democratic elections, a multi-party political system, a free Press 
and devolution of power to the regions.

But the era of freedom has also brought on an unexpected twist in the world's 
most populous and moderate Muslim nation - the rise of radicals and 
fundamentalists.

Long suppressed during Suharto's 32-year iron rule, fundamentalists wasted no 
time in reviving their campaign to turn Indonesia into an Islamic state based 
on the Syariah. The country has existed as a secular state since its birth in 
1945.

At the same time, radical elements have displayed intolerance of opposing 
views, often resorting to physical violence to assert their stand.

"I didn't expect hardline Muslims, who were once oppressed by Suharto, to turn 
around and do the same to others," said Syafik.

"I am very concerned that the freedom I once fought for has not been used in 
the interest of the people, like social justice and eradication of poverty. 
Instead, people are forcing their views and interests on others." 

Thus, the zero-nudity Playboy magazine's office was stoned; members of the 
Ahmadiyah, a tiny Muslim sect, were attacked and their properties burnt. 

On Tuesday, the local Press reported that some Ahmadiyah members were 
considering seeking asylum in Australia as they feared for their lives.

The contest between moderate Muslims and fundamentalists for the soul of 
Indonesia is spreading across the entire social fabric. 

Even beauty queens have not been spared. The hardline Islamic Defender Front 
(FPI) accused Miss Indonesia Nadine Chandrawinata of vulgar behaviour because 
she appeared in a swimsuit at the recent Miss Universe pageant and promptly 
reported her to the police.

Such intolerance is one of the greatest ironies in Indonesia's budding 
democracy.

"The practice of democracy in Indonesia is contaminated by the idea that might 
is right," said Member of Parliament Muhammad Hikam, from the Nation Awakening 
Party (PKB).

"If you can mobilise thousands of people, if you can voice your argument in the 
media and get followers, this is considered as might," he said.

PKB is the political arm of the country's largest Muslim organisation, 
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) which claims 40 million followers and is the face of 
moderate Islam in Indonesia.

Fearful of alienating the Muslim majority, the Government is hesitant about 
cracking down on such groups.

Moderate Muslims like Muhammad and Syafik outnumber the Islamists by a long 
stretch, as represented by the NU and Muhammadiyah, the country's second 
largest Muslim organisation with 30 million members.

But Islamists have been gaining ground politically, especially in the regencies.

While they overwhelmingly lost the last general election in 2004 to nationalist 
and secular parties, they have been able to make inroads at local elections in 
the provinces and regencies, be it mayorships or control of regional 
legislatures.

Upon securing the majority in the local elections, the Islamists sought to 
promulgate bylaws based on Syariah principles. Of the country's 440 regencies, 
more than 30 have Syariah-based bylaws.

"This is the creeping Islamisation of Indonesia," said Agus Widjoyo, a 
highly-respected retired three-star general. Agus is the former deputy speaker 
of the country's highest law-making body, the People's Consultative Assembly 
(MPR).

The raft of Syariah bylaws include obligating female students to cover their 
heads, non-Muslims as well. Then there is the controversial anti- prostitution 
bylaw promulgated in the city of Tangerang in Greater Jakarta. Any woman seen 
unescorted in public after dark is deemed a prostitute.

In their zeal to exterminate vice, the city authorities arrested many innocent 
women and subjected them to humiliating, public show trials where they were 
accused of being prostitutes and fined 300,00 rupiah (RM150). Those who could 
not pay the fine were jailed.

Concerned Tangerang residents protested the bylaw and found themselves attacked 
and threatened by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).

With more than 300 ethnic groups, creeping Islamisation has raised worries 
about the country's future. 

In eastern Indonesia, Bali and North Sulawesi, for instance, where the majority 
are non-Muslims, discontented fringe groups have raised the spectre of 
secession from Jakarta if their rights as minorities are not protected.

Last month, 56 worried members of the 550-seat Parliament signed a petition 
urging President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to abolish the Syariah-based bylaws 
or risk seeing the country torn apart.

"These bylaws go against the Constitution, which is the only thing that binds 
us as a nation. These radicals forget that the very basic idea of Indonesia is 
pluralism," said Muhammad, who was one of the signatories of the petition.

Nusron Wahid, 32, a young MP from Golkar who is also a signatory, views the 
bylaws as a threat to pluralism. "Indonesia was born out of plurality," he said.

The son of an ulama, Nusron also believes in the separation of state and 
religion.

"I can read the Quran fluently, even when I was a child, as I grew up in an 
Islamic boarding school. My parents gave me a religious education not because 
the state forced them but because of their own awareness.

"In Indonesia, Muslims know how to practise their faith without the state's 
interference. This tradition has existed since the time of our ancestors and we 
don't need the state to force us to fulfil our religious obligations," he said.

But the pluralists were outnumbered by the conservatives in Parliament, who 
responded by collecting 134 signatures to voice their support for the Syariah 
bylaws.

Lukman Hakim of the United Development Party (PPP), an Islamic party, who led 
the opposing camp said the bylaws were not Syariah but were intended for the 
greater good of society.

"Please don't term this (bylaws) Syariah. These laws were drawn up for the good 
of society, to regulate vice like prostitution, gambling and alcohol. What is 
wrong with that?" 

The bylaws violate the Regional Autonomy Law which expressly states that 
matters pertaining to religion can only be decided by the Central Government. 
As such, they should be annulled. But a weak Government has allowed them in 
many parts of the country.

"Under the regional autonomy law, matters of religion lie in the hands of the 
Central Government except for the province of Aceh," said former regional 
autonomy minister Professor Ryaas Rasyid.

"The majority of the people are moderates and they are silent," says Muhammad. 
"And non-governmental organisations have failed to take notice of this problem. 
And as no one is challenging the radicals, they think the public at large 
supports them."

Also, big nationalist parties like former president Megawati Sukarnoputri's 
Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDIP), which holds the second largest 
number of seats in Parliament, is riven by infighting. The same goes for 
Muhammad's own party, PKB.

Only Golkar, which holds the most seats in Parliament, and the Islamist Justice 
and Prosperity Party (PKS) are solid. According to Muhammad, Golkar, has been 
leaning towards the religious right.

As Indonesia prepares to celebrate 61 years of nationhood in August, the 
struggle to preserve the very basis of the country's pluralistic existence is 
only just beginning

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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