Post-Islamism in Indonesia: Analysis of Islamic Political Party Programs in the 2019 National Elections

Abstract

Although most Indonesia's population is Muslim, the Islamic parties' votes do not show a significant general election. This tendency encourages Islamic parties to develop post-Islamism to win the sympathy of majority Muslim voters in Indonesia. Ahead of the 2019 election, identity politics or sectarian politics had strengthened in the 2017 DKI Jakarta Regional Head Election, and even identity politics had long ago emerged with the proliferation of Sharia regulations in several regions, as well as the issuance of the MUI Fatwa regarding the illegitimacy of secularism, liberalism, and pluralism. This study aims to see whether Islamic parties maintain Post Islamism in political programs in the 2019 election. The research uses a library research method by collecting data from books, journals, national print, and online media. The study results explain that Islamic parties remain consistent in using the Post Islamism approach in the 2019 election, even though their vote acquisition is stagnant as a middle board party. 
 
 Received: 4 September 2021 / Accepted: 15 November 2021 / Published: 3 January 2022

Nonmuslim Membership Recruitment in The Islamic Party: Islamic Perspective

“…Post-Islamism is considered to still reject secularism which is hostile to religion, but also rejects the idea of a theocratic state. Post Islamism is not anti-Islam and secular, in fact it really upholds religion and the freedom of its citizens, where Post Islamism has three characteristics, which are (1) tends to be pragmatic and realistic, (2) willing to compromise with political realities that are not completely in accordance with the Islam ideological scheme is what they believe in and imagine, and (3) it is very tolerant of different groups (Argenti et al 2022).…”

“…They don't make the issue of ideology the main narrative in politics because they know that Indonesian voters don't like ideological symbols. Islamic parties' political programs are no longer based on religious and ideological interests, but tend to be pragmatic in politics, and prefer to pursue power rather than profit (Argenti et al 2022).…”

Developing Students' Religious Moderation through Group Counseling at Islamic Higher Education

“…Preserving the unity and integrity of the Republic of Indonesia, encompassing its diverse nature, is undoubtedly a challenging task. To tackle this, religious individuals have at least three responsibilities (Argenti et al, 2022;Nguitragool, 2020;Saidek et al, 2016). Firstly, they must uphold religious principles and put them into practice, especially by prioritizing the respect and dignity of every human being.…”

Post-Islamism and the Rise of Sharia Laws in Contemporary Indonesia: Aspirations of Implementing Islamic Laws in a Democratic Era

“…Things that become different views in these groups are ranging from political practices to the way of da'wa (propaganda). 29 The attitudes of Islamist groups who accept the concept of democracy and support the unitary state of Indonesia have successfully restored relations between the state and Islam. This makes the Islamic parties get a good response from the public so they can join the executive power circles (the government).…”