On 12th September, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) officially welcome Muhaimin Iskandar’s National Awakening Party (PKB) in a meeting by surprisingly singing “Yalal Wathan” in the head quarter office of PKS. The song is composed by one of NU founders, KH Abdul Wahab Hasbullah. Interestingly, the Chairman of PKS, Ahmad Syaikhu leads singing while the Presidential-Vice candidate, Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin were in the room. In fact, this for the very first time, the song which has been an anthem for Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) being played in that room.
Since the day one PKB was announced to be joining in the Koalisi Perubahan, PKS have not attended any single meeting, either in Jakarta or Surabaya, during the official announcement of candidacy. However, the latest historical meeting marks the coalition which PKS and PKB are together again since 2009. The Chairman Ahmad Syaikhu asserted that PKB can be a very good addition to the group as he hoped that it will bring optimism and victory in the upcoming presidential election. With PKB, this coalition might hope to secure NU followers’ votes.
PKS and PKB cannot be together because of different Islamic orientation which, based on Julie Hwang argument, often divided on wide categorization of traditionalist vis-a-vis modernist or moderate versus conservative. Also, both experienced fierce political contestations especially in the last two historical elections which led to social and political polarization. The complexity of social and political dynamics puts the two participating in unhealthy environment to achieve political interest and seize power. The 2017 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election and the 2019 Presidential Election are the peak points of such rivalry. The two parties are part of unfinished arguments and debates which impacted massively to the grassroot levels. For instance, the debate on whether Joko Widodo comes from Indonesian communist family. However, this popular claim seems irrelevant since the two are going back together and working on the project seriously.
Historically, PKS and PKB are parts of the 2009 Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Boediono’s victory. This candidacy was backed by a coalition consists of the incumbent, Democrat party and four Islamic parties. Apart from PKS and PKB, the other two were National Mandate Party (PAN) and United Development Party (PPP). During that time, SBY was able to accommodate these parties regardless of different orientation and thought to achieve success. As the result of seeking SBY’s blessing, the strategic ministerial positions are allocated for the coalition’s member.
In the present day, in some notable elections stemming from the district to the provincial level which included the PKS and PKB as a team, some succeed and some failed. The 2018 Central Java Gubernatorial Election shows that the pair of Sudirman Said and Ida Fauziah was supported by the two parties. Although ended up losing to Ganjar Pranowo and Taj Yasin Maimoen (58%), the coalition surprised many people as the candidate get (41%) of the total votes. The result of Sudirman-Ida pair comes out of expectation. During the campaign time, the wing group of female NU, such as fatayat and muslimat were the crucial actors in seizing votes, especially from NU followers.
Many predict that PKS and PKB might only remained for a short time and ended up losing. However, the current coalition might trigger commentators and experts to question to what extend the two can last together and do the two parties can break an ideological barrier to form a new coalition in the name of Islamic brotherhood (ukhuwah Islamiyah). In the name of unity of Indonesian Islamic parties, the two are expected to bring what has been missing so far.
Among Indonesian Islamic parties, based on the latest national election’s result, PKB and PKS are the top two as they secured 9,7% and 8,1% respectively, followed by PAN with (6,7%) and PPP (4,5%) while Crescent Star Party (PBB) had less than 1%. In addition, there are also new parties coming such as Gelora Party and Ummat Party. The latter was chaired by Amien Rais, Anies’ loyalist.
PKS’s role in this coalition is crucial as this party has been the loyal supporting system to Anies Baswedan. The strong chemistry and solid commitment between Anies and PKS have been around for years.
PKS have been experiencing two significant waves. The first wave was occurred during the shifting from PK to PKS. The group becomes more concern on nation orientation although the nuance of Ikhwanul Muslimin (Islamic Brotherhood) was declining. The second wave happened by the time PKS becomes more moderate and open.
To keep the two-party relations, Nasdem Chairman, Surya Paloh and Anies Baswedan must notice the following aspects. They must understand the importance of equal sharing responsibility from respective higher-ups just like what SBY did in the past. The two are more likely integrated if the boss can accommodate their interests in seizing power and securing strategic positions. As long as the fairness is there, the unity can be maintained, and breakup can be prevented. Likewise, it is imperative to look at their Islamic values which can be shared, negotiated, and tolerated to achieve goals. They also need to focus on both parties’ followers on the grassroot as they are more likely changing. For instance, majority of tarbiyah movement -PKS alliance- prefer listening to NU preacher such as Gus Baha because the way he preaches does not insult different Muslim groups. Likewise, NU followers especially in the middle urban area cannot deny that they like listening to modernist preachers.
Singing Yalal Wathan cannot be interpreted not only as a sign of PKS’s pure intention to PKB, but also as an entry point, marking of the new phase of Islamic party brotherhood in Indonesia. Public have been preoccupied with the social construction for so long. It is not an easy task to break the ideological barrier between the two. However, the chairmen of the two parties are urged to convince their followers to make the coalition fully supported. The current meeting indicated that both are more focusing and sharing mutual interest rather than the pragmatical one. The sustainability of coalition might depend on both in creating a new hope for Indonesian Islamic parties. Is this achievable?
The Authors’ details.
Ahalla Tsauro, a researcher recently completed MA at National University of Singapore
