By: Gani Permata *
Muslims became the target of the campaign which was quite soft in the implementation of the 2019 Presidential Election campaign. The Prabowo-Sandi camp which did not have a strong Islamic background forced themselves to seek support from Islamic figures in hopes of gaining a lot of votes. Seeing Kyai Ma’ruf as Cawapres from the incumbent, making the majority of the scholars join in supporting Paslon number 01. Inevitably Sandi maneuvered politics by approaching radical scholars.
This radical group certainly knew how Prabowo-Sandi’s background was in terms of establishment, religion, and politics. However, in order to seek protection because the group has received rejection from some Muslims, radical scholars have promised support for Prabowo-Sandi in the 2019 Presidential Election. Even radical groups that have been banned by the government such as HTI hope that the election of Prabowo-Sandi will be legalized.
The ideas of implementing sharia for Indonesia have actually been repeatedly asked and repeatedly denied by the Islamic community in Indonesia. Previously it had been presented with a proposal for the “Jakarta Charter” and the idea of ”Indonesian Islamic State” by DI / TII groups. Instead of gaining public sympathy, the DI / TII group was declared a dissident group against a legitimate government and state. However, many times failed did not make them give up. Now they are again trying to take on a new strategy and tactics of struggle, namely entrusting the idea of a sharia-compliant NKRI to the vice-presidential candidate pair Prabowo-Sandi.
Previously, the Islamic NKRI was echoed by Rizieq Shihab on the 212 actions in 2016. When he supported the presidential candidate Prabowo in 2018, Rizieq Shihab once again stated the need for Indonesia to become a sharia NKRI. The FPI High Priest stressed that the Islamic NKRI is a religious NKRI, the values of Pancasila, which upholds Godliness, humanity, unity, deliberation and social justice. Rizieq said that a shariah-compliant NKRI is to present officials who are trustworthy and not betrayed.
“Through this Alumni, I would like to say loudly to all Muslims in Indonesia to fight towards a sharia-compliant NKRI. “Sharia NKRI are those who love ulama and do not criminalize, let alone terrorize them,” said Rizieq.
Towards the 2019 Presidential Election, GP Ansor stated that radical groups spread across a number of Indonesian territories began to consolidate. The consolidation they did was called not to disrupt the course of the 2019 presidential election. Instead, it brought the agenda of establishing a Islamic state or Islamic NKRI by supporting one of the candidates for the Presidential Candidates.
Even though Prabowo-Sandi won the election, the public was not sure they would implement the idea of a sharia NKRI. In addition to the potential to be lowered from power because it is considered to violate the constitution, the couple does not at all reflect as an Islamic activist who understands the ins and outs of Islamic law.
The matter of the nation’s foundation was completed, once Pancasila remained the Pancasila. Do not let radical groups even participate in the country’s political affairs. Because intolerant radical groups will always spread hatred towards others and cause destruction as happened to Islamic countries in the Middle East.
It is appropriate for the Indonesian people to maintain tolerance and respect differences. Like the message that was always conveyed by the leaders of the Muslim world after visiting Indonesia, “Keep this diversity”. They do not want the Indonesian state to be destroyed by radicalism and intolerance.
*) Students at the University of Persada Indonesia