'Religion losing appeal in modern politics'

'Religion losing appeal in modern politics'

Tiarma Siboro and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The bulk of Muslim voters will choose Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
over Megawati Soekarnoputri in the Sept. 20 election runoff on
the basis of his personality rather than his religious affinity,
scholars say.

Muslim scholar Ulil Abshar Abdalla said on Thursday Susilo's
personal charm would be what counted, although he was known to
have built close ties with a number of Muslim figures upon their
shared faith.

Ulil made his prediction because most Muslims, including
members of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul
Ulama (NU) and supporters of the United Development Party (PPP),
had voted for Susilo in the first round on July 5.

"The voters' reasoning was clear: They opted for Susilo for
his personal image, instead of his religion," Ulil told a
discussion here held by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI).

The discussion focused on new developments that have unfolded
in recent years concerning the role of Islam in Indonesian
politics.

LSI researcher Syaiful Mujani concurred with Ulil, saying that
religion was no longer relevant, regardless that up to 90 percent
of the population were Muslims.

Syaiful said the trend of electorates voting for Muslim-based
parties had declined compared to the first democratic exercise in
1955, when almost 43.7 percent of voters considered religion the
primary factor in deciding who to elect.

PPP executive Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin, who also spoke at the
discussion, agreed with the two academics, saying that although
the enrollment of students at Islamic-oriented schools had
increased over the years, "their political stance ... have
nothing to do with their religion."

Separately, the Institute of Research, Education and Social
and Economic Affairs (LP3ES) revealed the results of its latest
survey, which showed most respondents favored Susilo.

LP3ES found that 55.9 percent of interviewed respondents chose
Susilo, compared to 28.7 percent who preferred Megawati, the
incumbent president.

"The respondents prefer Susilo not only because of his
personality, but also upon the belief that he could resolve the
myriad problems afflicting the country now," the survey said.

LP3ES interviewed 2.525 respondents from all 32 provinces
between Aug. 20 and Aug. 30, with a margin of error of 2 percent.

Despite his lead, the survey showed a 3.2 percent fall in
public confidence in Susilo, down from 58.7 percent in June,
while Megawati had improved by almost the same rate from 25.6
percent.

LP3ES found that the Nationhood Coalition -- comprising the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Golkar Party
and a number of minor parties, which was formed to back
Megawati's reelection bid -- was unlikely to make much difference
in the polls, as 81.6 percent of respondents said they had made
up their minds and would not be swayed by outside interference.

Over 70 percent of respondents also said results of opinion
polls would not influence them in their vote.

Meanwhile, the survey found that the bulk of supporters of
eliminated presidential candidates were likely to throw their
support behind Susilo in the runoff.

"Over 60 percent of respondents who voted for Amien Rais-
Siswono Yudohusodo and Wiranto-Solahuddin Wahid in the first
round will vote for Susilo in the runoff," it said.