by: Rahmat Wibowo *)
History certainly will not forget to record the figure of Amien Rais, known as the father of reform. Because he was a key figure who succeeded in overthrowing the Suharto regime after 32 years as President. From the past until now, sharp criticisms have always received people’s attention. The difference is that the criticisms that were raised were always appreciated by the public. But at present the sharp criticism from the former chairman of the MPR has become a debate. Only pros and cons appear. Often making blunders related to his words that tend to be beautiful, certainly not excessive if the figure of Amien Rais likes to look for sensations and excitement.
In his lecture in the South Jakarta area, Amin Rais’d doctrine the party of Satan with the Party of God. Initially he invited all parties including PAN, PKS and Gerindra together with Muslims to fight together to defend religion.
Then he said, on the contrary there were also large parties who joined the Satanic party. However, when it was confirmed which party the demon party was referring to, Amien Rais was reluctant to answer.
The blunder statement will certainly not improve its capabilities as part of the National Mandate Party. As a result of his remarks Cyber Indonesia reported Amien Rais to the Metro Jaya Regional Police for alleged hatred for making statements about the party of Allah and the party of Satan. Amien Rais’s criticism did not stop, he also had time to make a statement that the distribution program for the certificate by President Jokowi was a lie.
As a respectable figure, it’s good to be able to maintain conditions, be humble and wise with the current conditions that are relatively heated. In fact, in the current era criticizing the government is not prohibited, but respectable figures in the Amien class, Rais should have maintained politeness in their attitude and not in speaking. Amien Rais also requested that during the 2019 Presidential Election that Muhammadiyah follow its attitude in providing support. If not, then PP Muhammadiyah Chairperson Haedar Nasir will be interviewed.
Whereas as a democratic country, it is certainly legitimate if a political party provides support to anyone, this is an effort so that during the election, Muhammadiyah can get the freedom to choose and maintain the neutrality of the Organization. Amien Rais’s statement turned out to show panic when he saw the electability of his partner who did not show improvement. The statements he felt even made the Muhammadiyah citizens angry and lost trust, the severity of this could reduce the electability of the candidate he was carrying out.
In 2014, Amien Rais gave the term presidential election at that time as a Western political party. This analogical statement later became a controversy and only added to the murky political atmosphere in Indonesia
If Amien Rais’s statement turns out that Muhammadiyah members do not respect him, then that means he still inherits the new order talent that he once rolled over, because asking Muhammadiyah to vote during the election is a step away from the word independence.
The noise of the political world turned out to have received a response from the Chairman of the Hanura Inas Party DPP Nasrullah Zubir, he suggested that Amien Rais immediately retire from politics, because Amien Rais’s image was not good because of his controversial statement. While PAN itself will also be affected because of the controversial statement.
In his remarks regarding the Islamic party and Satan’s party, Amien Rais certainly has used the Qur’anic verses which are interpreted by himself, for example there are parties and Satan’s parties. If this is not addressed in an adult manner, then social friction and division can occur. This shows that Amien Rais is a person who threatens the spirit of Indonesian unity that upholds diversity. The request that Amien Rais retire from the Party was apparently voiced by a number of important figures who were pioneers and founders of PAN. Requests for Amien Rais to resign were delivered through an open letter on behalf of five PAN independent figures, namely Albert Hasibuan, Abdillah Toha, Zumrotin, Gunawan Mohammad and Toety Heraty.
The founders advised Amien Rais to resign from his position as an honorary council, something Amien Rais said that including Satan’s party was a political maneuver that was deemed not in accordance with the initial principles of the Party’s establishment. In some cases Amien Rais is also considered to have made religion a political tool for achieving power. In addition, he was also very impressed to hand PAN leadership to the next generation. A role model in a party should be credible and does not make the political atmosphere murky. Different views should not need to be promoted to the public sphere. PAN needs new people who can replace Amien Rais who has a hobby of criticizing the government. As a Political Scientist he was also considered to have failed to educate the nation with an attitude and statement that was not elegant, besides that he also made religion a political tool to gain power.
) * The author is a political observer
