Challenge of political Islam

Amy Chew New Straits Times Kuala Lumpur

Indonesia's former President Abdurrahman Wahid may have failed in his attempt to stand for elections but the ulama remains an influential figure as the country's presidential candidates seek his support in their bid for power.

On Tuesday, a large crowd of journalists camped outside his home as presidential hopeful, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, held a 45-minute meeting with him. Susilo emerged the front-runner in July 5 presidential elections and will face incumbent Megawati Soekarnoputri in the run-off on Sept. 20. After the meeting, Abdurrahman, affectionately known as Gus Dur, said that he gave Susilo his advice but not his support.

Gus Dur, who headed the country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which claims 40 million followers, for 15 years before stepping down to become president in 1999, expressed concern over the use of religion to grab power.

He says the politicization of Islam in the world's most populous Muslim nation was a dangerous development with the potential to stir unrest and threaten the country's unity and plurality. "I told Susilo that the root of the unrest now is those people who use religion ...the first thing to do is to depoliticize religion, that's the only way, but it's hard work.

We have to depoliticize because if it goes too far, it is impossible to stop," said Gus Dur, adding that Susilo shared his view. "He (Susilo) said to me he felt the most dangerous thing is sectarianism," said Gus Dur.

NU claims 40 million followers and is seen as the face of moderate Islam in Indonesia. Gus Dur remains a revered figure in NU until today and is renowned for his inclusive brand of Islam which stresses plurality and tolerance.

During the first round of elections, which saw five candidates, the top three places were won by nationalist figures such as Susilo, Megawati and former armed forces chief Wiranto. The last two places were occupied by candidates often seen as Islamist figures -- Amien Rais, the speaker of the highest law- making body, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and Vice- President Hamzah Haz.

Both candidates have expressed support to establish syariah in the country at some point. According to Gus Dur, Amien's and Haz's failure at the polls was viewed as a defeat at the hands of non-Muslims despite the fact the top three candidates are all Muslim and have performed the haj. "Now those people with religious fervor think they (Rais and Haz) are defeated by non- Muslims, that's crazy," said Gus Dur to illustrate his point. Some of Amien's supporters have come out to say they will abstain from voting in the run-off.

Gus Dur also pointed to a prominent local Muslim activist -- who constantly appeared in public to declare events or issues, as halal or haram -- as a dangerous development as it served to deepen divisions and polarize society. "I describe such people as political people using religion to grab power. It's not about establishing syariah in the country. They don't even know anything about syariah" said Gus Dur, thumping his walking stick.

Despite being left half-blind by three strokes, Gus Dur still travels to the provinces almost on a daily basis to meet with the people as he has done throughout his working life -- a feat which binds him in the hearts of the rural people who form the backbone of the nation. "For me, I play my part as 'community man'. I go round the country giving speeches. I tell the people to be tolerant of others, to be open-minded and not to rush to conclusions," he said.

Asked whether Susilo or Megawati would be able to defuse the situation, he said: "No. Because they lack the courage to do that." Indonesia also faces a huge challenge in holding the country together as the lack of leadership in the central government in the sprawling archipelago could fuel separatism. "You see, the inability to govern will cause the provinces to think that there is no use in being part of Indonesia and it is better for them to go by themselves," said Gus Dur.

The country faces an armed separatist insurgency in Aceh which has tied down more than 30,000 troops and scarce financial resources. A low-level insurgency also simmers in the resource- rich province of Papua. Analysts fear a disintegration of Indonesia will destabilize the rest of the region and send an exodus of people to seek refuge in neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore.

When Indonesia imposed a military operation in Aceh last year, hundreds of Acehnese fled to Malaysia to escape fighting between government troops and separatist rebels.

Indonesia's greatest hope lies with the people's faith in plurality and living together as a big nation. "Indonesians stress multiplicity, plurality. Those things we have to protect. The hope of Indonesia is to stay together to become a big state, a strong community."