How Moderate Is Indonesian Society?

Indonesia will hold its legislative elections in the spring of this year, and its first direct presidential election in two rounds in June and September. Issues are wide and varied, from tackling widespread corruption to a public morals campaign with strong religious undertones.

The singer Miss Inul is one of the most popular figures of public life in Indonesia, better known here as "the driller", and for obvious reasons. Her songs go by titles such as "Shake it, shake it".

Popular culture against strict religious moral codes

Miss Inul's extremely suggestive hip gyrations on nation-wide television have upset politicians from the more conservative religious parties so much that she's become an election issue in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Overt public sexual innuendo would be outlawed under public morals legislation proposed by factions of the current Indonesian government if it's re-elected. Co-habitation and certain sexual acts would draw heavy penalties. Many feel this will be a contravention of basic human rights and comes very close to Sharia law. Miss Inul herself, extremely popular amongst the masses, could be not only be out of a job, but thrown in jail. This of course would be a worst case scenario. But with elections looming, there's a more moderate face of Islam and many are turning to it.

With almost Messiah-like qualities Abdullah Gymnastiar, affectionately known as Aa Gym, soothes the masses in song and verse. In his flowing white robes Aa Gym attracts the crowds wherever he goes promoting peace in a nation which has had more than its fair share of problems in recent years.

Moderate religious leader with the status of a pop-star

​​If Aa Gym was to stand for parliament, he'd almost certainly be elected and what's more, many would choose this moderate religious leader as their president. Almost every day you'll either see him on television, hear his preachings on radio or read his writings in the newspapers. Abdullah Gymnastiar has his own radio and satellite TV networks, publishes books, and even has started an internet server. He's omnipresent and known by everyone. But will he stand for parliament?

Aa Gym says his main concern is peace and harmony for the people of Indonesia. "I just want to support the people of Indonesia to develop a positive vision of the future," he says. "I would like the people to join together and make Indonesia a beautiful country. I don't want to go into politics."

Muslim cleric Aa Gym will not be a candidate in the coming election, but according to some of his close assistants, there's a strong possibility towards the end of this decade that he'll be turning more towards politics.

Australian fears of aggressive Islamic government

Meanwhile concern has been expressed in Australia about the "threat of an aggressive Islamic government in Indonesia."

Reportedly New South Wales State Premier Bob Carr said that Australia increasingly had to think about threats to its security in the region.

However, the one "radical" Muslim Cleric who might have had enough followers to influence the outcome of the following Indonesian elections, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, originally accused as being leader of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiah, is in jail on immigration charges and likely to remain behind bars well after the polls have closed.

Radical Muslims brought down the Suharto dictatorship

It was the students, many described as radicals, who helped end the dictatorship of President Suharto. In 1998, thousands took to the streets of Jakarta battling against the authorities. Suharto stepped down, paving the way for what is seen by many as Indonesia's first true democracy.

Doctor Amin Aziz, tutor at the University in Bandung, says the new process of separating parliamentary and presidential elections might lead to some confusion. "This coming election is applying a new electoral system. It differentiates between presidential and legislative election, and because this is new to Indonesia, we cannot expect that all people will understand how it works. Up until now, we didn't elect the people – we elected the party. I think the media ought to assist in informing people and in making this a successful election."

Having millions of voters turning up at the polls just once will be in itself a massive case of organization, but two or even three times for both parliamentary and presidential ballots will be a massive task. So a special election commission has been set up to not only control the criteria for selection of political parties, but to oversee the whole process.

The future president only needs a high-school diploma

There are some glitches however. The future president does not need to have very high educational qualifications as pointed out by Indonesian election commission member Chusnul Mari'yah: "This is the difference between a political and a professional career. A kindergarten teacher has to have a university degree. He or she has to attend university for at least two years. But the president only needs a high-school diploma, that's all."

So who is in the running for the next president of the republic of Indonesia? It's an interesting line-up, and both former long running presidential dynasties are represented.

For the past few years, President Megawati Sukarnoputri has been at the helm, but now two other Sukarno daughters, Megawati's sisters, have joined the presidential race, although in separate parties, and their brother is a member of the current parliament.

The daughter of the Indonesian former president Suharto, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, or "Tutut", has been flagged as a surprise potential candidate, sparking a flurry of speculation Suharto's supporters may be on the way back. Brother Tommy Suharto will not be in the running – he's in jail for ordering the murder of a judge.

Traditional political influence of armed forces

Then there are several generals hoping for the top job. Indonesia's armed forces have for a long time had a big say in running the country.

A media mogul and a television comic actor also would like to be president, and with over 20 political parties competing there's sure to be quite a line-up for the presidency.

The election will see world-wide attention

Apart from the election commission there's a newly formed corruption committee to screen those who are competing for the presidency and as well there'll no doubt be non-governmental election monitors from outside of Indonesia. It's going to be closely watched not only here, but all over the world.

Analysts seem to indicate that President Megawati Sukarnoputri will be back, but many problems remain unresolved, such as a vicious military campaign against separatists in the northern province of Aceh. Breakaway factions in Papua at the other end of the Indonesian Archipeligo are also the subject of a military clampdown and there's continuing unrest between religious factions in the Molukku area.

The most pressing issue to tackle is poverty

The war against corruption and terrorism continues and now it will be interesting to see if whoever takes over control of the world's most populous Muslim nation tackles a most obvious and pressing problem – that of extreme poverty amongst the so far forgotten lower classes.

Stephen Fleay

© 2004 DEUTSCHE WELLE / DW-WORLD.DE

More Qantara.de articles on Indonesia:
The Koran's Spirit of Gender Equality
Cross-Cultural Synergies