The 'new' Masyumi

The 'new' Masyumi

From the very beginning, when the two Moslem activists, Ridwan Saidi and Agus Miftach, declared their intention last month to establish a new organization called Majelis Syariat Ummat Muslimin Indonesia (Masyumi), the responses were mostly negative. In the first place, their decision to use the acronym Masyumi is considered a bad idea.

Practically all former leaders of the now defunct Moslem political party Masyumi (Majelis Syuro Muslimin Indonesia), including its spokesman Anwar Harjono, criticized Ridwan's plan. Apparently, they were angered by Ridwan and Agus' choice of name and acronym, which they feared would confuse the public. They feared that people would think the "new" Masyumi had links with the "old" Masyumi. It is obvious that they were smelling a rat behind Ridwan's plan to manipulate an old battle cry.

Now that the "new" Masyumi has actually been established, other Moslem leaders also have denounced the organization. The chairman of Muhammadiyah, Amien Rais, even went as far as predicting that the new organization won't last for six months and "will disappear like the wind". Noted Moslem scholar Nurcholish Madjid dismissed as groundless Ridwan Saidi's claim that the new organization was established because Moslems are not represented in Indonesian politics. In Nurcholish's view, Moslems already enjoy a political representation in various institutions.

Several reasons may be cited as to why Ridwan Saidi's and Agus Miftach's plans have been met with such strong resistance. First, they have no legitimate claim as former Masyumi members. They differ from Mrs. Supeni and Usep Ranuwidjaja, whose plan to establish Persatuan Nasional Indonesia, or the "new" PNI, was welcomed since they are known as former leaders of the "old" PNI (Partai Nasional Indonesia). So, too, with Sabam Sirait, who was not opposed when he established the Partisipasi Kristen Indonesia, or the "new" Parkindo, because he actually was a leader of the now defunct Parkindo (Partai Kristen Indonesia).

Second, in political circles Ridwan and Agus are perceived by many as low-rate politicians. Ridwan's main weakness is his repeated change of allegiances. A former chairman of the Moslem student association (HMI), he was recruited as a campaigner for the United Development Party (PPP) in the 1970s, but later joined Golkar as a card carrying member. And Agus Miftach is well-known for his political maneuvers toward "taking over" the leadership of NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) in the 1980s.

Ridwan Saidi's claim that several Moslems leaders support his "new" Masyumi has also backfired as, one by one, those leaders -- including NU chairman Abdurrachman Wahid -- have denied their involvement. Ridwan also sparked anger from the government when he claimed that the "new" Masyumi is planning to become a political party, which is illegal under current laws.

What is interesting is that most of the opposition to the "new" Masyumi has come from Moslems. It is understandable if most Moslem leaders, who now enjoy newly-found good relations with the government, don't want "intruders" like Ridwan and Agus to disrupt the situation. To some extent, some may also worry that Ridwan's "new" Masyumi may harm the "old" Masyumi's reputation, or even close the door to the chance -- supposing there could be one -- for the rehabilitation or revival of the "old" Masyumi.

In short, Ridwan Saidi's and Agus Miftach's "new" Masyumi can be expected to have a very short life. Instead of moving with the current trend of establishing new organizations, they have set their sails against the wind due to miscalculations and faulty strategy.

Ridwan's and Agus' plan is clearly doomed unless they can come up with some solid evidence that certain segments of the Moslem community are really not represented in the current system. To do so, they could try to recruit people like Sri Bintang Pamungkas, people who are dissatisfied with the present situation, thus drawing some "angry young men" into their stronghold.

But if they are not tactful, they may see themselves fall deeper into the pit of failure. And if this happens, their political careers may also "disappear like the wind".