The 'new' Masyumi<\/p>\n
From the very beginning, when the two Moslem activists, Ridwan
\nSaidi and Agus Miftach, declared their intention last month to
\nestablish a new organization called Majelis Syariat Ummat
\nMuslimin Indonesia (Masyumi), the responses were mostly negative.
\nIn the first place, their decision to use the acronym Masyumi is
\nconsidered a bad idea.<\/p>\n
Practically all former leaders of the now defunct Moslem
\npolitical party Masyumi (Majelis Syuro Muslimin Indonesia),
\nincluding its spokesman Anwar Harjono, criticized Ridwan's plan.
\nApparently, they were angered by Ridwan and Agus' choice of name
\nand acronym, which they feared would confuse the public. They
\nfeared that people would think the \"new\" Masyumi had links with
\nthe \"old\" Masyumi. It is obvious that they were smelling a rat
\nbehind Ridwan's plan to manipulate an old battle cry.<\/p>\n
Now that the \"new\" Masyumi has actually been established,
\nother Moslem leaders also have denounced the organization. The
\nchairman of Muhammadiyah, Amien Rais, even went as far as
\npredicting that the new organization won't last for six months
\nand \"will disappear like the wind\". Noted Moslem scholar
\nNurcholish Madjid dismissed as groundless Ridwan Saidi's claim
\nthat the new organization was established because Moslems are not
\nrepresented in Indonesian politics. In Nurcholish's view, Moslems
\nalready enjoy a political representation in various institutions.<\/p>\n
Several reasons may be cited as to why Ridwan Saidi's and Agus
\nMiftach's plans have been met with such strong resistance. First,
\nthey have no legitimate claim as former Masyumi members. They
\ndiffer from Mrs. Supeni and Usep Ranuwidjaja, whose plan to
\nestablish Persatuan Nasional Indonesia, or the \"new\" PNI, was
\nwelcomed since they are known as former leaders of the \"old\" PNI
\n(Partai Nasional Indonesia). So, too, with Sabam Sirait, who was
\nnot opposed when he established the Partisipasi Kristen
\nIndonesia, or the \"new\" Parkindo, because he actually was a
\nleader of the now defunct Parkindo (Partai Kristen Indonesia).<\/p>\n
Second, in political circles Ridwan and Agus are perceived by
\nmany as low-rate politicians. Ridwan's main weakness is his
\nrepeated change of allegiances. A former chairman of the Moslem
\nstudent association (HMI), he was recruited as a campaigner for
\nthe United Development Party (PPP) in the 1970s, but later joined
\nGolkar as a card carrying member. And Agus Miftach is well-known
\nfor his political maneuvers toward \"taking over\" the leadership
\nof NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) in the 1980s.<\/p>\n
Ridwan Saidi's claim that several Moslems leaders support his
\n\"new\" Masyumi has also backfired as, one by one, those leaders --
\nincluding NU chairman Abdurrachman Wahid -- have denied their
\ninvolvement. Ridwan also sparked anger from the government when
\nhe claimed that the \"new\" Masyumi is planning to become a
\npolitical party, which is illegal under current laws.<\/p>\n
What is interesting is that most of the opposition to the
\n\"new\" Masyumi has come from Moslems. It is understandable if most
\nMoslem leaders, who now enjoy newly-found good relations with the
\ngovernment, don't want \"intruders\" like Ridwan and Agus to
\ndisrupt the situation. To some extent, some may also worry that
\nRidwan's \"new\" Masyumi may harm the \"old\" Masyumi's reputation,
\nor even close the door to the chance -- supposing there could be
\none -- for the rehabilitation or revival of the \"old\" Masyumi.<\/p>\n
In short, Ridwan Saidi's and Agus Miftach's \"new\" Masyumi can
\nbe expected to have a very short life. Instead of moving with the
\ncurrent trend of establishing new organizations, they have set
\ntheir sails against the wind due to miscalculations and faulty
\nstrategy.<\/p>\n
Ridwan's and Agus' plan is clearly doomed unless they can come
\nup with some solid evidence that certain segments of the Moslem
\ncommunity are really not represented in the current system. To do
\nso, they could try to recruit people like Sri Bintang Pamungkas,
\npeople who are dissatisfied with the present situation, thus
\ndrawing some \"angry young men\" into their stronghold.<\/p>\n
But if they are not tactful, they may see themselves fall
\ndeeper into the pit of failure. And if this happens, their
\npolitical careers may also \"disappear like the wind\".<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-new-masyumi-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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