Prolonged Elite Conflict and the Destruction of the Indonesian Islamic Union Party (PSII)

Abstract

Even prior to Indonesia's declaration of independence, political parties ourished as part of the political landscape of the archipelago and played a signi cant role in Indonesia's struggle for independence. Instead of contributing to political development and institutionalisation, however, some political parties prove to be unable to survive the test of time. Indeed, one reason for this is internal con ict among party elites. Here I discuss the case of the Indonesian Islamic Union Party (PSII, Partai Syarikat Islam Indonesia), Indonesia's rst Islamic party, before its ultimate demise. is article argues that PSII's destruction was the result of unresolved con icts among the party's elite. In fact, an examination of the party's history reveals that party unity was fractured for decades as a result of protracted con icts that resulted in its dissolution. Its return to politics during the newly democratic elections after 1998 remained compromised by the same chronic problem, which affected its ability to generate sufficient popular support to meet the prescribed electoral threshold.

How do Muslim-Majority Countries Respond to Islamic Political Parties? Research Trend Studies and Theme Mapping

“…The theme that distinguishes it is only the Strategy theme, which, if in Turkey, the theme that appears is related to Policy. Publications related to the theme of Political and parties in Indonesia are connected to several focus studies, for example, related to the activities of Islamic political parties in general elections (Ridhahani, 2017;Subandi et al, 2021), conflicts of Islamic political parties with other ideologies (Noor, 2016;Rina et al, 2021), the crisis of Islamic political parties in Indonesia (Harahap, 2019;Mukrimin, 2012;Subekti, 2017), as well as the political attitudes of Indonesian Islamic groups in the general election (Nashir et al, 2019;Turmudi, 2021). On the Strategies theme, the discussion of previous researchers includes several studies, such as that conducted by Munabari (2017), which examines the ideology and framing strategy of the Islamic revival movement in Indonesia and the political marketing strategy of Islamic political parties in winning the candidates they carry (Hadimin et al, 2017).…”

Challenges of Party Autonomy to Party Institutionalization: A Case of Internal Party Conflict

“…For example, Fickett in Noor (2015) stated that ideological differences and personal conflicts between party elites are the causes of factions within the party. Meanwhile, Shale and Pruitt & Rubin in Subekti (2017) stated that internal conflicts are triggered by favouritism, usually due to differences in the promotion of cadres and relatives and unequal distribution of resources.…”