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TEMPO Magazine, No. 07/II/October 23-29, 2001
National
Jumping the Gun
The Justice Party made a show of strength last week in a giant protest against the American air strikes on Afghanistan. But was this an early start to its 2004 election campaign?
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Take a look at Jalan Raya Menteng 58 in Central Jakarta. The office of the Islamic Youth Front is swamped daily by youths. Only a building and a plot of land away is the Muhammadiyah building, which is by contrast very quiet. It is as if the contrast between the noise and the silence reflects the contrasting stances of the two Muslim organizations in the light of the US attack on Afghanistan. Muhammadiyah has tended to be careful and moderate, whereas the Islamic Youth Front (GPI) represents the hardliners.
After Friday prayers last week, approximately 100 youths lined up in neat rows in front of the GPI building. There were cries of "God is Great!" Then they moved enthusiastically in the direction of the US embassy, only 200 meters away. "Chase out America, chase out all capitalists," they shouted as they marched.
When they reached the US embassy on Jalan Merdeka Selatan, their shouts became louder and they cursed the superpower. The demonstration heated up when activists arrived from the Inter-Campus Muslim Student Assembly (Hammas), the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI), the Defenders of Islam (FPI), the Indonesian Muslim League, Laskar Jundullah, the Mujahidin Assembly, Syabab Hidayatullah and the Islamic Concern Forum.
Approximately 4,000 demonstrators spoke with one voice in denouncing the American attack on Afghanistan and asking Megawati's government to break off diplomatic relations with the US.
As the afternoon wore on, tensions increased. There were more shouts of "God is Great". Then, with rage on their faces, a group of activists burned the Stars & Stripes. The security forces seemed at a loss. The growing blaze was only extinguished when the police turned water cannons onto it.
The anger of the Islamic mass organizations also spread to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, the British Embassy, the United Nations building and the street in front of the National Palace. The action, which had brought traffic in the capital to a halt, came to an end at sunset. There was no shooting, no violence. It passed off peacefully. Not for nothing had the Metro Jaya (Jakarta) Police deployed 4,800 officers.
This was the biggest demonstration in Jakarta since the World Trade Center tragedy in New York, September 11. Actions had been taking place since President George Bush threatened to attack Afghanistan. The nation run by the Taleban stood accused of sheltering Osama bin Laden—thought to be the man behind the attacks on the World Trade Center, although the US has yet to produce any hard evidence of this. Then last week, when America launched missiles at the Muslim country, larger demonstrations in Indonesia became inevitable.
Demonstrations of solidarity with the Muslims of Afghanistan also took place in Medan, Bandung, Makassar, Solo and Surabaya. In Surabaya, thousands demonstrated in front of the Grahadi Building. Brought onto the streets by KAMMI, GPI and the Crescent-Star Youth, they called for a boycott of American products. But in the midst of this anti-American feeling, a truck suddenly appeared bringing bottles of Fanta and Sprite. Without thinking twice, the demonstrators gratefully accepted the drinks originating in America that were handed out to them.
"The Struggle" and Fanta are of course two very different things. So are the stances of the Islamic mass organizations. Muhammadiyah, the largest such organization after the NU did not ask its followers to take to the streets. Neither did the NU, the largest Muslim organization.
The organizations that did demonstrate were GPI, FPI and the Mujahidin Assembly. These three organizations have about 100,000 members, much less than Muhammadiyah or the NU. But they are far more radical and hard-line.
Compared to Muhammadiyah and the NU, two of these three groups are very new. The Defenders of Islam was only formed in 1998. The group, whose headquarters is on Jalan Petamburan, Central Jakarta, sprung to fame with its raids on places of vice and gambling. The Mujahidin Assembly was founded last year in Yogyakarta. It is an umbrella grouping of several hardline organizations.
Only GPI has a fairly long history. Founded in 1945, it was originally a sub-organization of the Masyumi Party. After going through good and bad times under the Sukarno and Suharto governments, the organization, now led by Suaib Didu, has no links with any party. But on a daily basis, Didu is deputy secretary-general of the Crescent-Star Party. He also jointly founded the Anti-Communist Alliance with Eurico Guterres, a pro-Indonesia activist from East Timor. At the end of September, this alliance organized a large demonstration in the capital.
Before this anti-American sentiment arose, the members of these organizations had kept their aims to themselves. They all want to see syariah Islamic law implemented in Indonesia. According to Didu, the struggle for the implementation of syariah law is not the same thing as wanting to set up an Islamic state. "Syariah law will only be applicable to Muslims," the 36-year-old told TEMPO.
But not all organizations that want to see syariah law demonstrated against the United States. Darul Islam and Laskar Jihad, who are also campaigning for syariah law, did not call out their followers. According to the commander of the Laskar Jihad, Jafar Umar Thalib, his organization is concentrating more on the problems in Poso and Ambon. Darul Islam has even made it clear that its members are forbidden to carry out jihad (religious struggle) outside Afghanistan. Darul Islam leader Al-Chaidar said that the organization had already sent 201 mujahidin from Indonesia.
According to Arbi Sanit, a lecturer in politics at the University of Indonesia, the fact that Laskar Jihad and Darul Islam are not participating in the anti-US action merely indicates division of labors. He is of the opinion that the hardline Muslim groups are using the Afghanistan issue to increase the size of their organizations. "Their ultimate aim is the implementation of syariah law in Indonesia," he said.
So all of their demands, including ending diplomatic ties with the US are only a means to an end. But the severing of diplomatic relations is a serious matter. Muhammadiyah leader Syafii Ma'arif believes that the calls to cut diplomatic ties and boycott US products were made without considering the impact on the economy. In fact, says Syafii, "If America reacts and stops economic assistance, our country will be bankrupt."
Ironically, the US itself is increasing the zeal of the hardline groups with its attacks on Afghanistan. Even moderate groups are becoming irritated with the actions of the US and its allies. The Jakarta head of the United Development Party (PPP), Djafar Badjeber, has threatened to call millions of PPP supporters onto the streets if America continues to be arrogant and to kill people as it pleases.
Leaving aside the issue of solidarity, it is possible that the anti-American actions will affect the position of President Megawati Sukarnoputri. The signs are already visible. For a long time now, there have been signs posted outside the GPI headquarters that make awkward reading for the government. One such sign: "Don't sell Indonesian Islam to American terrorists." Another reads "Mega and Hamzah are the evil hands of the United States."
The FPI is not afraid to state that Megawati's position could be under threat. According to Rizieq Syihab, the calls for the end of diplomatic relations with the US are getting louder and will not be easy to silence. If Megawati wants to join in the call and agree with the demand she will survive. "But if Megawati wants to oppose these loud cries, she could well be toppled."
Rizieq is free to make threats. But bringing Megawati down would not be easy. As long as the NU and Muhammadiyah do not take to the streets, it will be difficult to bring really serious pressure on her. The other key factor is the Muslim-based parties such as PPP, the Crescent-Star Party (PBB), the Justice Party (PK) and the National Mandate Party (PAN). As long as the president considers their interests, according to Arbi Sanit, they will continue to support her government. "So far I have seen no signs that the parties will take advantage of the situation to make problems for Megawati," said Arbi.
The stance of Vice President Hamzah Haz could also be an indicator. As long as the man seen as representing the interests of Muslims is still on Megawati's side, there will be no political upheaval.
There are other possibilities. But it would seem strange if America's business with Osama bin Laden led to conflict in this country. Unless there really were people who had set their sights on the palace.
Gendur Sudarsono, Agus Hidayat, Heru C. Nugroho (Yogyakarta)
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