Traditional allegiances 'inconsequential'<\/p>\n
M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta<\/p>\n
After this year's elections, Indonesian politics would not be
\npolarized between the traditional ideological groupings of
\nIslamists and nationalists, under which political parties formed
\nrival coalitions to claim power, analysts said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
They told The Jakarta Post that short-term interests would
\ninstead prompt political parties to establish alliances ahead of
\nand after the Sept. 20 presidential runoff.<\/p>\n
The nationalists-versus-Islamists dichotomy was no longer
\nrelevant in explaining contemporary political developments, they
\nadded.<\/p>\n
\"Such an idea is narrow-minded and apparently disregards a new
\ndevelopment that has unfolded over the last couple of years, in
\nwhich the demarcation between nationalist and Islamist groups has
\nbecome blurred,\" noted scholar Muslim Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
He said such a polarization no longer existed, as was proved
\nby the July 5 presidential election, during which Muslims voted
\nfor a candidate known for his nationalist outlook.<\/p>\n
\"A large number of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah supporters
\nvoted for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, ignoring instructions from
\ntheir respective parties to choose the candidates they endorsed,\"
\nMuslim said, referring to the country's two largest Muslim
\norganizations.<\/p>\n
He said voters had become politically mature and independent,
\nand could not be directed as easily to believe that traditional
\nalliances still mattered in politics.<\/p>\n
As an ideology, nationalism had become obsolete owing to
\nconstant pressure from the globalization effort, Muslim added.<\/p>\n
\"Political parties claiming to be fighters of nationalism are
\nseen as remnants of a bygone era.<\/p>\n
\"The same goes for political parties that promote Islamism.
\nPeople no longer believe that such parties will strive to promote
\nthe cause of their faith,\" he said.<\/p>\n
His view was shared by another Muslim scholar, Komaruddin
\nHidayat of Jakarta-based Paramadina Mulya University, who said
\nthe coalitions being formed recently were based only on short-
\nterm interests.<\/p>\n
Major and minor parties are exploring coalition possibilities
\nof the runoff.<\/p>\n
An executive of the Golkar Party said it was ready to form a
\ncoalition with the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) after PKB leader
\nAbdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid thawed his three-year chill relations
\nwith PDI-P leader and incumbent Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Megawati, who is up for a reelection bid against key rival
\nSusilo of the upstart Democratic Party, is reportedly planning to
\nhold a similar meeting with National Mandate Party (PAN) leader
\nAmien Rais in the near future over a possible alliance.<\/p>\n
It is also likely the United Development Party (PPP), led by
\nVice President Hamzah Haz, will throw its weight behind Megawati.<\/p>\n
\"You can see that leaders of some Muslim-based parties (like
\nGus Dur, Amien and Hamzah) are also approaching Megawati. How
\nwill you explain within this context that Islam is against
\nnationalism,\" Komaruddin said.<\/p>\n
He said the moves were an effort at making power-sharing
\narrangements in the next government.<\/p>\n
Komaruddin, who also chairs the official Election Supervisory
\nCommittee (Panwaslu), said people would not be bothered by the
\ncross-ideological alliances as long as it was intended to create
\nan effective government.<\/p>\n
He underlined that political pragmatism had moved parties away
\nfrom the traditional division between Islamism and nationalism.<\/p>\n
\"There has been a healthy trend in the last couple of years,
\nduring which all boundaries have become obscure. We have seen
\ncandidates known for their Islamist views team up with those who
\nhave secular orientations,\" Komaruddin said, referring to Amien
\nRais' pairing with running mate Siswono Yudhohusodo, and Susilo
\nwith Jusuf Kalla.<\/p>",
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