The PKS for All? Oh Come On!

(published by The Jakarta Post on 22 June 2010. Click here)


The new motto of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) that was recently announced at the party’s national congress in Jakarta was a surprise to all of us. The motto states “The PKS for All” and is intended to woo all elements of this nation to join the party. The motto constitutes an advertisement that the party is ready to switch from exclusivity to a more inclusive party.

Interestingly, the congress invited US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume to speak about “The US view of Islam”. The PKS admitted bilateral relations between Indonesia and the US were strategic and benefited both countries.
This is a rare occasion, but “surprising progress” since the PKS’ political stance is deemed anti-Western.

The party secretary-general, Anis Matta, said the party aimed to reach 2 million members from the current 800,000 members, and to pursue the top three parties in the 2014 election. Apparently, the PKS realized there was no history that parties with Islamic-based ideologies ever won elections. Although Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, nationalist-based parties gained the most votes.

Nevertheless, as the fourth-ranked party in the 2009 election, the PKS has a chance to go one step higher and snatch the third rank in 2014. However, it will not be as simple as flipping the palm because of the conservative principles label that has been stuck on the party. The PKS was known for a long time as the staunch promoter of upholding sharia in Indonesia. The party, since it was established, has several achievements to its credit such as the controversial pornography law, and many other “sharia- nuanced” bylaws in particular regions that are headed by the party’s members.

Another stumbling block that may hamper the “PKS for All” probably are several leaders within the party who are connected to a tendency to religious sentiments. We remember shortly after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) picked Boediono as his running mate in the 2009 presidential election, the then PKS president Tifatul Sembiring blatantly questioned Boediono’s faith in Islam. Tifatul claimed, at that time, that the fact Boediono regularly attended Friday prayers at Bank Indonesia’s mosque was not enough to consider him a devout Muslim.

The second time, Tifatul (now the Communications and Information Technology Minister) gave a controversial statement was when he compared a sex tape scandal involving Ariel Peterpan, Luna Maya and Cut Tari look-alikes to the theological debate between Christians and Muslims about the death of Jesus Christ.

On Thursday, June 17, during a breakfast meeting at his office on the public debate over the sex tapes featuring people resembling the three national celebrities, Tifatul remarked that it was like the dispute between Muslims, who believe that Jesus Christ was not crucified but rather that someone resembling him was, and Christians, who believe that Jesus Christ was crucified. Although I believe (and hope) the majority of Christians will not feel too offended by Tifatul’s statement, we see such haphazard statements will be an obstacle to the “PKS for All” spirit.

The “PKS for All” motto is a brave move, since it means they will open the door for everyone, including non-Muslims, and as a consequence face challenges from members who want to keep the party “pure” of un-Islamic influences. The party executives even assured it would provide top posts on the central board for non-Muslims, however, what the PKS needs to show are the more essential things, such as how they are going to be more pluralistic as well as how they commit to protecting minorities.

The PKS may have made progress when they launched the “PKS for All” motto, however, if they are still reluctant to do a simple thing like greeting people over Christmas or on other religious occasions, is the party really for all? Oh, come on!

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Serpong, 20 June 2010
Titus J.