1411-0199 ISSN : Wacana Vol. 20, No. 2 (2017) E-ISSN : 2338-1884

The Islam Defence Action: A Challenge of Islamic Movement to Democratic Transition in the Post 2014

1 2 3 4 Ari Ganjar Herdiansah *, Dian Arifiyati Putri , Latip Ashari , Rini Maduratmi 1234Department of Political Science, Padjadjaran University

Abstract The Islam Defense Action in during November to December 2016 was the largest protest movement that ever been held in Indonesia and brought national concerns over political instability. Hundred of thousands to millions of people overwhelmed the streets protesting the alleged blasphemy on Islam by , a candidate for the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election that has a close connection to President Joko Widodo. This article analyzes the outbreak of the protest movement as a depiction of the strategic influence of Islamic groups in the midst of political upheaval threat. The protest movement showed a struggle to defend their values, but on the other hand, its political impact cannot be disclaimed. Above all of the phenomena, Islam Defense Action implies that religious sentiment still interacts with the politics and challenging the role of Islamic civil society to democratic transition in the post-2014 Indonesia.

Keywords: political Islam, civil society, democracy, protest action, political stability

INTRODUCTION* Moon Party (Partai Bulan Bintang, PBB). The In understanding the relationship between second candidate, Jokowi, who is genuine cadres religion and politics in Indonesia lately, some of Indonesia Democracy Party of Struggle (Partai conditions need to be examined and elaborated Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, PDIP) coupled to describe the complexity of the issues related with Jusuf Kalla. They had support from PDIP, to Islamic movement. This paper scrutinizes the Nation Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan dynamic of Islamic civil society in interferring the Bangsa, PKB), National Democrat Party (Partai democratic transition in the post-2014. This Nasional Demokrat, Nasdem), Hanura Party period is interesting to be examined because the (Partai Hati Nurani Rakyat), and Indonesia Justice political tension was getting heat up since some and Unity Party (Partai Keadilan dan Persatuan Islamic groups consistently criticize the Indonesia, PKPI). Considering the ideological government of Joko Widodo or popularly known background of the mass and the supporting as "Jokowi." The mobilization of mass with a parties, we can observe that the Islamic parties, strong Islamic symbol was become a new such PKS and PPP and Muslim mass-based party, prominent opposing power and alarming the the PAN, were at the Prabowo-Hatta camp. democratic transition for social political Meanwhile, the PKB was the only Muslim-based fragmentations by religious base. parties that existed in the Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla[• The sentiment from some Islamic groups coalition. š}ÁŒ W}l}Á][• P}ÀŒvuvš Á• v}š •µvoÇ After the 2014 presidential election was over arrived. Since the 2014 presidential election and won by Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla, supporters there were polarization of the two camps of polarization was not necessarily meltdown candidates. The first candidat, Prabowo-Hatta although all the Islamic parties, except PKS, have have supporter from Gerindra Party (Partai joined the government. Suspicion and cynicism Gerindra), National Mandat Party (Partai Amanat from some Islamic groups remained to increase Nasional, PAN), Prosperous Justice Party (Partai as a result of the heat tension of presidential Keadilan Sejahtera, PKS), National Development election at the mass root that divide Islamic Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan, PPP), purist and the progressives. The disappointment Golkar Party (Partai Golkar), and the Crescent of some Islamic groups increasingly sharpened when President Jokowi allegedly defend Ahok in

various legal case. The climax, when Basuki Correspondence address: Ari Ganjar Herdiansah Tjahaya Purnama, or known as Ahok, as the Email : [email protected] Governor of Jakarta was purportedly insulting the Address : Prodi Ilmu Politik, Gd D lt II Kampus FISIP Unpad Koran in an official speech at Kepulauan Seribu Jatinangor, Jl. Raya Bandung-Sumedang Km. 21 Jatinangor, Sumedang 45363 that became viral on social media. Delayed

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response of the government to the case led civil society is in its sphere that located between various Islamic organizations shed his grievance the family and the state, enjoyed autonomy from with mass demonstrations in Jakarta during the state and driven by the volunteerism of the October to December 2016. members of the community [2]. In a democratic The event of a protest movement held in political system, civil society became an Jakarta on October 17, 2016, November 4, 2016, important element because it provides a vehicle and December 2, 2016, that involving hundreds to articulate and promote the interests of the of thousands to milions of people from various people dealing with the state and the Islamic groups. The action is known as The Islam government that are likely to be influenced by Defense Action (Aksi Bela Islam), which demand market forces and political elites. justice for alleged defamation committed by The development of civil society in religious Ahok, the incumbent candidate for 2017 Jakarta community experiencing a little paradox. Civil gubernatorial election. He and Djarot were society was originally formed to oppose the supported by PDIP, Nasdem Party, Golkar Party, regime who hold divinity ruling [3]. However, and Hanura. On another side, the challengers religious organizations eventually play a political come from Agus Yudhoyono-Silvyana (Democrat role in the public sphere [4]. In the context of Party, PKB, PPP, PAN) and Anis Baswedan- Muslim contries, the Islamic activism and Islamic Sandiaga (Gerindra Party and PKS). Looking at the movement is differentiated from political Islam. ‰ŒšÇ[• coalition composition, it is easily to The earlier concentrated in non-state realm, predict that the crisscrossing of religious and religiocivil community, and ideological basis, politics as happened in presidential election while the later has a clear political goals [5]. would reappear in Jakarta gubernatorial. At this Interestingly, the Islam Defence Action serve in level, the protest movement, whether intentional between nonstate realm and political ends or not, could interfere Jakarta gubernatorial dimension. Through a protest movement, the process that put Ahok in less fortunate position. Islamic organizations was not only struggle to During the demonstration, the protesters convey a message to the government as well as conducted peacefully act that in general still public that can be seen explicitly or implicitly [6], following the corridor of law and democratic but also could play a crucial role to determine the values. However, the abundant of mass who pole of political power in a winding manner. joined the protest were terrified the government. There are some questions need to be answered When milions of people overwhelmed the in this article regarding the phenomenon. First, streets, the situation could be politically how Islamic civil society in Indonesia faced a dangerous and put the government regime at a demanding situation when they are trying to great risk. As Porta & Diani [1] stated, the maintain a strategic political position? Second, disruption of daily routines increases with what is the significance of the Islam Defence vµuŒ• ]Œš š} šZ ŒP]u[• ility to Movement to the practical politics both at local control crowds inevitably suffers as they grow (Jakarta) and national level? larger. Jokowi then responded with conducting intensive meeting with some major party leaders, MATERIAL AND METHOD key Islamic organizations such as Nahdlatul The analysis of this article was built by (NU), Muhammadiyah, and Indonesia qualitative approach that used literature study Ulema Board (Majelis Ulama Indonesia, MUI) as combined with news investigation. Comparative Áoo • Lv}v•][• u]v u]o]šŒÇ (}Œ•X A set of historical explanation emphasized to the period circumstances that depict national stability was before 2014 and after 2014 in order to construct at stake. analytical framework about how the Islamic civil The political dynamics and religious society interact with democracy in Indonesia sentiment around the Islam Defence Action political context. The elaboration will be highlighted the role of Islamic civil society to presented in the first part of discussion. In the perform a counterbalancing power to meet their second part, the social base and ideology of party demand. LŒ}v]ooÇU šZ u}Àuvš[• ]u‰š }v analysis is used to explain on how the new the practical politics cannot be avoided and the emerging power of Jokowi and his Nationalist-left positive role of Islamic civil society to democratic party, PDIP, was responded by some Islamic civil transition is in challenge. Civil society is a number organizations and in turn shaping political of organizations or institutions who asserted the contest in the post 2014 election. The third people's interests. The main characteristics of

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discussion will examine how the Islamic mass 1990s, as some of the prominent army elites actions against the allegedly Islam blasphemy started less support the New Order regime, depict the crisscrossing of politics and religion Suharto turned his attention to the conservative around the Jakarta gubernatorial that associate Islamic groups, including encouraging the with broader political contest. formation of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (Ikatan Cendikiawan Muslim Data Collection Indonesia, ICMI) to gain political support (Liddle The data collected through documents from 1996). previous research that relevant with Islamic civil There are two largest civil organizations and society and democracy in Indonesia discourse. become mainstream in the referral community in The information about the event of The Islam Indonesia, namely the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Defence Action was retrieved from online news Muhammadiyah. In the New Order era, Islamic v ‰Œš]µoŒ L•ou] }ŒPv]Ìš]}v[• Á]•š civil society organizations were allowed to during October to December 2016. The event operate as long as not to promote political Islam information from news also complement other or challenge the regime's power. However, NU discussion with broader time period. However, to and Muhammadiyah have enormous members keep the objectivity of information from agency. and supporters that making them less subject to The news were selected if it displayed in two or Suharto's authoritarian approach. For example, three main news agencies that has no in 1991, a major figure of NU, Abdurrahman substantive differentiation regarding the content Wahid, in a brave manner forming democratic but only one presented as a reference. forum for protesting the regime intolerance toward ethnicity and sectarianism. He also RESULT AND DISCUSSION criticized the formation of ICMI as the Islamic Civil Society and Democracy in Indonesia manipulative step of Suharto among the Muslims In the Indonesian context, the rise of Islamic [8]. After the fall of the Suharto regime in 1998, civil society is influenced by several factors. First, dozens of Islamic political parties and many the increased of economic growth, especially in Islamic civil organizations have emerged. They the era of the New Order. Secondly, the rise of expressed political views openly and freely. Even the middle class. Third, the rise of Islamic some Muslim organizations did not hesitate to movements, and forth, the increasing demands tend to be the hardliners and radicals, such as for democratization. These four factors are also Jemaah Islamiyah, Laskar Islam, Laskar Pembela driven by economic globalization and the rapid Islam, Laskar Jihad, and Laskar Mujahidin use of information technology [7]. The Indonesia Indonesia [9]. economic growth happened in the 1980s due to After the reform, various Islamic civil rising oil prices increase the surplus for the organizations play a major role in the dynamics country. It made the society's welfare got of national politics. Almost every government improved which in turn also affects the growth of regime established close ties with Islamic groups the middle class. However, the attitude of the and some of them even serve as a support base. Suharto regime against the Islamic groups was For example, the Indonesian Islamic Propagation more influenced by the principle of utility- Council (Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia, oriented for their power protection. Therefore, DDII) and Indonesian Committee for Solidarity the relationship of the New Order regime with with the Islamic World (Komite Indonesia untuk Islamic groups continue to experience ups and Solidaritas Dunia Islam, KISDI) provided support downs. In 1973, the New Order regime united all to the transition government of BJ. Habiebie political parties into three major parties to be (1998-1999) [9]. The presidency of Abdurrahman more easily controlled. Various Islamist parties Wahid in 1999 also favored by the role of a like Muslim Party of Indonesia (Parmusi), NU central axis that was driven by Islamist Party (Partai Nahdlatul Ulama), and The Unity of politicians, mainly from PKB, PAN, PPP, PBB, and Tarbiyah Islamiyah (Perti) were fused into the Justice Party (PK). Those parties are also known PPP. The parties of the left-wing, nationalist, and have mass base from various Islamic Christian were incorporated in the PDI. While the organizations. Unfortunately, Wahid political regime themselves formed a Golkar as a political capital was not enough to hold impeachment of vehicle that embodied the elements of the the House of Representatives (DPR) in 2001 due military and other regime supporters. In the to the incompetence of his administration [10].

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Lv aPÁš][• ‰Œ]} ~îììí-2004), Indonesia Muslim to take part in politics. Those accusations began facing difficult situation regarding radical reflected a nightmare of some Muslim groups Islamist groups. After the 9/11 terror attack, about the country's future leader. Black Megawati expressed sympathy and committed to campaign about Jokowi scattered through working with the United States to combat various digital media such as Facebook, Twitter, international terrorism. Nevertheless, Megawati and WhatsApp. The results of the 2014 step was getting criticism from some Islamic presidential election then won by Jokowi as groups. They accused Megawati had put president and Jusuf Kalla as vice president. Indonesia in a position that could be controlled However, the cleavage of imagined ideologies in by the United States. When the United States presidency still affected a mass base support invaded Afghanistan in 2001, Islamic groups when Jokowi was running the government. He hardliners held a demonstration in Jakarta has a strong supporter mainly from nationalist- rejecting the Bush military act and urged left groups and got a high cynical from purist Megawati to condemn the invasion. However, Islamic groups. Megawati refused the demands. The protestors However, after running the government, accused her of being servant to the United Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla immediately consolidated States. Since then, the government was Islamic civil society organizations, especially the increasingly considered to have opposite stance NU and Muhammadiyah. Some NU cadres to the Islamist groups [11]. appointed as ministers in the cabinet, such as Lv šZ Œ }( òµZ}Ç}v}[• u]v]•šŒš]}vU Khofifah Indar Parawangsa, Lukman Hakim Indonesia challenge a fertile terrorism that Saifuddin, Marwan Ja'far, Imam Nahrawi and marked with the second Bali bombings and JW Dhakiri Muhammad Hanif, Muhammad Nasir, Marriot bombing. The ex-jihadist from Poso Nusron Wahid [13]. while the cadres of conflict had also spread throughout the country Muhammadiyah who sits in Jokowi's cabinet are and infiltrated radical Islamist groups. However, Nina Moeloek and Muhajir Effendy. Jokowi did despite Yudhoyono had a military background, he not release the importance of support from did not necessarily rage all of Islamic groups who Islamic civil organizations to maintain the have radical tendency. He also kept the stability of his government. perpetuate of military intervention in politics At the beginning of his rule, President Jokowi minimize. He chose to consolidate civil strived to improve the aspect of tolerance organizations, including the moderate Islamic towards minority communities. The Minister of groups to maintain the institutional stability [12]. the Interior, Tjahyo Kumolo, imposed civil administration law to create fairness for all Jokowi, Islamic Civil Organization, and Political faiths, including local faiths. He then proposed to Contest delete the religion column on the citizen's Ahead of the 2014 presidential election, there identity card [14]. Nevertheless, the effort got was an interesting dynamic of how the opposition mainly from conservative Islamic supporting Islamic groups giving their support to groups. For example, NU rejected the plans for the candidates. The presidency candidate religion column elimination on identity card coalition parties also shaped the support mass µ• ]š Á}µo oš ‰}‰o[• (Œ}u P} Á]oX based on religious communities. The first According to them, people should choose one of candidate, namely Prabowo and Hatta was the religion that recognized in Indonesia backed by Gerindra Party, Golkar Party, PAN, constitution [15]. The case has caused PKS, and PPP. All of those parties, except controversy; they who criticized the plan suspect Gerindra Party, has a strong Muslim group that there was a secularization agenda behind support base. While Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla President Jokowi policies. Suspicions got higher carried by PDIP, Nasdem Party, Hanura, PKPI, and when the celebration of Isra 'Mi'raj on 15 May PKB. Of all the parties, only the PKB and Jusuf 2015, the ministers of religion held a reading of Kalla as a person which have strong Muslim the Koran using the tone of Dandang Gulo which grassroots support. During the 2014 presidential is one of the songs in Javanese style. Some election campaign, the issues relating to religious Islamic groups then blasted the practice because and ideological sarcasm were not seldom raised. it did not correspond to either the rules or Jokowi frequently imaged as being anti-Islam, a procedure of reading a scripture (tajwid). Chinese descent, came from a family of The controversy between the government communist sympathizers and pretended to be and Islamic groups also continues when Jusuf

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Kalla suggested that many of mosques misuse Jakarta, such as the construction of the Mass loudspeakers, so it disrupted other people. In Rapid Transit and monorail. He also promised June 2015, Jusuf Kalla in his capacity as Chairman that the various problems such as floods, city of the Indonesian Mosque Council asked the disorder, traffic jam, and the poverty would be Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to discuss this more easily overcome when he served as mosque loudspeakers problem [16] Wµ•µ( Yoo[• president. Nevertheless, the leadership of •ššuvš }µš šZ u}•‹µ[• o}µ•‰lŒ Á• Jokowi-Ahok in Jakarta, leaving legal matters getting a lot of resistance from Islamic related to corruption cases of Jakarta Trans organizations and mosque officials. projects with a nominal nearly half a trillion President Jokowi sought to neutralize the rupiahs [17]. negative opinion from Islamic groups against One crucial issue in the political context of him. He did safari visits to several Islamic Jakarta politics was the Ahok's attitude that often boarding schools. In April 2015, Jokowi attended confrontational and aggressive towards boarding schools in Solo and Surabaya. In January politicians toward the province parliament (DPRD 2016, Jokowi visited boarding schools in Cirebon. DKI Jakarta). Ahok repeatedly accused the In June 2016, Jokowi and the first lady attended legislators as corrupt and interfered with the boarding school in Tegal, Central Java. Jokowi government performance. Inevitably, almost all also kept his promise to establish a national political parties lead to a hostile reaction, santri day the first time on October 22, 2016 that including Gerindra Party, Ahok former party. At held in Serang, Banten. In addition, Jokowi the time of the 2014 presidential election, Ahok supported the inauguration of the International retreat from Gerindra Party because he felt his Islamic on June 29, 2016, struggles were not in line anymore with the higher education institutions that would be party's [18]. In addition to the reason, the under the auspices of the Ministry of Religious resignation of Ahok was more determined by his Affairs. These efforts indicate that Jokowi decision to anchor his support to Jokowi in the considers the necessary support from Islamic 2014 presidential election. Automatically, the elements to maintain national stability. Gerindra Party lost governor position and left the However, a broad trust of Islamic groups power to PDIP dominance and pave the chances cannot be built in a short time. In social media of victory to Jokowi/PDIP in the 2019 election. Of sphere, the supporters and opponents of Jokowi course, Ahok's political maneuver was getting a during the 2014 presidential election was still strong reaction from Gerindra Party. engaged in psycho war. It is hard to denied that The allegations of special closeness between many groups that criticize Jokowi come from Jokowi with Ahok increasingly convinced in cases L•ou] }uuµv]š]• ÁZ}[• ]v šZ ‰ŒÀ]}µ• of alleged corruption of Sumber Waras. The case election tend to support Prabowo-Hatta. They began on May 12, 2014, when Ahok suddenly involved a variety of debate on the programs announced his intention to build a cancer undertaken by the government. Jokowi hospital, because the two cancer hospitals that supporters see the progress of development available were considered inadequate to serve from the positive standpoint and struggle to the people. Land search was ended up in Sumber proof that Jokowi is the real people's president Waras Hospital. The land purchase by Jakarta who can realize his promises. While they who Provincial Government was reaping problem. The consistently criticize the government consider sale price offered by the city government judged Jokowi's programs were filled with intrigues to to be unreasonable. The council then advised the cover the actual failure. government to cancel the land purchase. One issue that became the centre of the However, Ahok stated that the land acquisition debate is about the political dynamics of the had no problem and done transparently. The Jakarta government. The heat discourse began Audit Board of Republic of Indonesia (BPK) then when Jokowi, the elected governor of Jakarta in issued the audit report that reveals the land 2012 left the office when he elected as president purchase violated the legal procedures. The city in 2014. The position of Jakarta governor was government land purchase was amounting to Rp. taken over by Ahok who previously served as 755 billion, which is more expensive than the deputy governor. The deputy Jakarta then gave original, so it made a loss for the state to Rp.191 to Djarot Saiful, a cadre of PDIP who is close to billion [19]. Ahok. Before leaving Jakarta, Jokowi said that he However, the Corruption Eradication would continue to monitor its programs in Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi,

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KPK) said there was no element of lawlessness Survei Indonesia, LSI), electability of Ahok was v •šš[• µPš o}•• ]v {µuŒ 팕 •X hv still the highest at 53 percent in March 2016 the statement of the KPK, some politicians [23]. The survey results of Saiful Mujani Research pointed out that the KPK sided with Ahok. The Center in October showed electability Ahok also case was then rolled into the political sphere. still ahead of approximately 45 percent [24]. According to Fadli Zon, the Deputy Chairman of Although electability of Ahok tended to decrease, DPR from Gerindra Party, there were political he was still dominant among the other interests that influence the decision of the KPK; candidates. However, the poor relations with there were rumours that KPK was reinforced by political parties make a little late of Ahok President Jokowi to protect Ahok in the case of candidacy. He had even planned to register the Sumber Waras [20]. A Protest demanding KPK to candidacy through independent channels with caught Ahok of the case of Sumber Waras carried À}oµvšŒ• PŒ}µ‰ oo ^CŒ]v• }( !Z}l_ out by some organizations in April 2016, (Teman Ahok). But in the last-minute of including from Islamic groups in Jakarta, where candidacy registration to the electoral one of them was the Islamic Defenders Front commission, Ahok decided to move forward with (Front Pembela Islam, FPI) [21]. political party. He was paired with Djarot Saiful, a Public assumptions that Ahok has the special cadre of PDIP, as the deputy candidate. Ahok and relation to Jokowi was highlighted in the case of Djarot were carried by PDIP, Nasdem Party, North Coast Jakarta Reclamation. Ahok was Golkar Party, and Hanura Party. The other pairs determined to continue the project after getting of candidates are Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga opposition from the Coordinator Minister for Uno promoted by PKS and Gerindra Party, and Maritime, Rizal Ramli, and the Minister for Agus Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni supported Environment, Siti Nurbaya because the project by the Democratic Party, PAN, PKB, and PPP. violated the law. Interestingly, the cases Political contest in Jakarta was vulnerable to containing corruption after Sanusi, a member of the issue of racism as the background of Ahok is Jakarta Parliament from Gerindra Party, and a Protestant and descendants of Indonesian Ariesman, a man of the developer, named as a Chinese. The problem of racism surrounding the suspect by the KPK. The KPK also monitored Jakarta gubernatorial election has begun to {µvvÇ ÇvµÁ]iÇU !Z}l[• ‰Œ•}vo ••]•švš appear in the response of the community in a who also has a family relation to reclamation variety of media, especially social media. Issues project development company. Coordinating were developed as a bullet to drop Ahok Minister for Maritime, Rizal Ramli, then stopped electability among other are the prohibition for the project [22]. Ahok against the decision and Muslims in choosing the leader of the infidels and resulting in the dispute between him and Rizal the danger of Chinese to dominance Jakarta. Ramli. This case also got attention from activists However, such issues did not interfere and various civil organizations, especially among electability of Ahok. Most of Jakarta residents fishers and university students. They made wanted Ahok as the next governor with good several demonstrations to reject the Jakarta reason; Ahok performance was considered fulfill coast reclamation project. However, surprisingly the citizen's satisfaction. He also perceived as Jokowi dethroned Rizal Ramli from his position as successful in making Jakarta much better. Coordinating Minister for Maritime in the second Unfortunately, the Ahok sympathizers were often cabinet reshuffle, and ultimately makes stronger retaliated their attackers with discourses that allegations about Jokowi partisanship to Ahok. contain religious scoff. For example, they state that it is better led by infidels but clean rather The Criss-Crossing of Politics and Religion than by Muslims but corrupt. Then, Ahok himself Towards the Jakarta gubernatorial election in saying that he was proud to be infidels but not 2017, political frictions associated with Jokowi corrupt [25]. and Ahok were getting hotter. Despite the fact The response that given by Ahok against that Ahok's political capital was weak and face racist attacks even wilder and aggravate the various problems, but his performance as Jakarta political tension. When Ahok was conducting an Governor received appreciation from the official visit at Kepulauan Seribu on September majority of residents. From various surveys, the 27, 2016, he claimed not to force people to vote level of satisfaction of the Jakarta's residents for him in the elections and called on citizens not about Ahok leadership was high. Based on a to be fooled by the parties using verses from the study of the Indonesian Survey Circle (Lingkar Koran (Al-Maidah 51). The speech then became

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viral in cyberspace and instantly reap public by the ruling power. Then, the event of The reaction [26] On October 7, 2016, Habib Novel Defence Islam Action was held back a second Chaidir Hasan, a cleric from FPI later sued Ahok time on November 4, 2016, entitled The Defence on suspicion of committing a blasphemous. The Islam Action II which requires the police to arrest reaction of Islamic groups for alleged blasphemy Ahok and set him as suspects in the defamation. by Ahok was intensified and expanded. On The demonstration participants consist of October 10, 2016, Ahok later apologize for his hundreds of thousands people that gathered at statement even though he did not feel guilty for the Istiqlal Mosque and moving toward the police what he was not meant insulting Islam. However, headquarters, the Presidential Palace, and the Islamic groups still did not accept it and plan City Hall. They filled every corner in Patung Kuda large demonstrations to encourage law to Medan Merdeka area. The participants came enforcement to handle Ahok case. Nevertheless, from various regions, such as Bandung, Nusa the police did not immediately determine the Tenggara Barat, Makassar, Palembang, Maluku, suspect status to Ahok because of there was a Madura, Surabaya, Lampung, and Yogyakarta. legal procedure that regulates if a candidate The leaders of Islamic organizations also joined in suspected as law breaking, the law process the protest action, such as KH Abdullah should be postponed until the election is Gymnastiar alias Aa Gym, KH Ma'ruf Amin, and completed. However, groups of protesters Habib Rizieq Shihab, KH. Cholil Ridwan (TAPI3), judged that the police had sided with Ahok so KH. Tengku Zulkarnain (MUI), Sukatsyah (Umat that the cases must be escorted by the mass Islam Bersatu), Nur Akma Diati (PP Forsap FUII), actions. Wirawan Adnan (GNPF-MUI), Abdul Rashid Various protests demanding legal proceedings (Asyafiiyah). Those political leaders who were against Ahok not only happened in Jakarta but present among others Amien Rais (PAN), Fadli also in other regions, such as in Medan, Zon (Gerindra Party) and Fahri Hamzah (Vice Surabaya, Tegal, Solo, and Sampit. In mid- Chairman of DPR from PKS). October 2016, thousands of people from various Jokowi said that The Defence Islam Action II Islamic civil organizations took to the streets as an action ridden by political actors aimed at condemned the statement Ahok that was creating a political instability. Although not considered as an insult to the Koran and urged explicitly mentioned, these allegations later led the police to imprison Ahok immediately. There to the Yudhoyono and Democratic Party which are pros and cons in the community response to carrying Agus-Silvy as a challenger of Ahok- whether Ahok did blasphemy. The opposite of Djarot. Yudhoyono accused of being the actor Ahok believes that the speech of Ahok, who rode Islamic mass mobilization on regardless of any context, have abused the November 4, 2016, although later he denied Koran, while others consider the remark of Ahok through a press conference at his residence [28] was not an insult to the Koran because what he The accusation clearly stated by Bony Hargens, meant was the people who use the verses of the an academician from the University of Indonesia Koran to incite voters. However, the MUI then known as pro-government analyst. Democrat issued a fatwa that Ahok had conduct a Party then sued him to the police [29]. blasphemy and made the protest exacerbated. Allegations of President Jokowi further aggravate A larger and organized demonstrations then the problem. Islamic groups did not accept that held in Jakarta on Friday, October 14, 2016. The they were considered to be driven by certain demonstrations were coordinated by FPI and The political interest. Along with the heating National Movement to Defend Fatwa of atmosphere, President Jokowi performed Indonesia Ulema Council (Gerakan Nasional political safari to the two largest Islamic Pengawal Fatwa-MUI, GNPF-MUI). It was organizations; NU, Muhammadiyah, and to the attended by more than twenty thousand people. prominent ulema body, MUI. Also, President The events were given the name of the Islam Jokowi conducted a safari to several political Defense Action. They were conducting march and figures, among others Prabowo, Setya Novanto, rally in front of Jakarta City Hall. The and Megawati, while the meeting with demonstrators demanded the police to process Yudhoyono made by Jusuf Kalla. President Jokowi the case of Ahok [27]. Although it has been doing then continued to meet the military elite forces, a great demonstration on October 14, the Islamic among others are special forces from Indonesian groups were not satisfied and considered the Army (Kopassus), Air Force (Paskhas), Navy legal process was slow so purportedly protected (Marinir), and Indonesian Police (Brimob). The

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meeting with the military ranks implying that the decreased, he was still in the highest compared pressure from Islamic organizations had led to to other candidates who tend to stagnate, the regime of Jokowi insecurity, so he needs to namely Agus-Sylviana as much as 20.9 percent strengthen its ranks to make sure the state and 20 percent Anies-Sandiaga. A total of 34.5 instruments were behind him if the worst percent respondent stated as undecided and situation would appear. potential as swing voters (24). Ahok-Djarot was In the midst of an increasingly immense also still the strongest candidate in 2017 pressure, the police then set Ahok as a suspect gubernatorial based on the level of satisfaction on November 26, 2016. However, Ahok did not survey results conducted by the Indonesian detained by the police. The protesters then Poltracking Survey Institute that as many as 52.5 compared to the government's treatment of percent said they are satisfied with the Ahok to the treatment of other blasphemer in performance of Ahok as governor. Jakarta the past, such as Lia Eden and Arswendo who residents also said they were pleased with the were immediately detained. They demanded the development undertaken by Ahok. The levels of same treatment to Ahok. The demand was health care more affordable, educational services realized through the third The Defence Islam with Jakarta Smart Card was also get better, and Action that held in Monas area on December 2, the construction of infrastructure or public 2016, or known as the Act of 212. The facilities were increased [31]. However, Ahok demonstration was greater than ever. The chance to continue his rule in the second period attendees were millions from across the region would be vanished if he was in custody. of Indonesia. Although the police have sought to The crisscrossing between religious and anticipate the number of participants, the political sentiments have changed the dynamics protesters imposed their will. The group from of politics in the context of Jakarta Gubernatorial Ciamis and Bogor even went to Jakarta on foot as Election, national politics, and the repositioning the police gave no recommendation to the bus of Islamic groups in the national politics. One company to provide the transportation facility. significant political repositioning was the return The police effort unintendedly had increased the of Setya Novanto as the Chairman of DPR, which sympathy of the action. In the midst of become a public question since he tripped in a widespread insistence, President Jokowi and case of profiteering Jokowi name in a secret Jusuf Kalla eventually attend Friday prayers in negotiation on government projects in 2015. Monas where the lector was Habib Riziq, the high Both Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla showed anger priest of FPI. The mass action was running well toward Novanto at that time. As a result of public and successfully urged the Police to promise in pressure, he finally resigned as the chairman of resolving Ahok case. DPR in December 2015. However, long before In line with the widespread protests against the pressure on government by the Defence Ahok for alleged blasphemy, Ahok-Djarot very Islam Action, Golkar Party under Novanto disturbed by many acts of the refusal acts of their continued to provide political support for Jokowi. visit campaigns. Ahok-Djarot casted a complaint, Golkar Party even become the first party to because the refusal act was indicated conducted declare Jokowi as a presidential candidate for systematically to harm them. On the other hand, 2019 election. Not long after the meeting the survey results showed electability of Ahok- between Jokowi and Novanto amid of the Djarot tends to decline after the Defence Islam Defence Islam Action pressure, Golkar Party got Action on 4 November 2016. The results of a Chairman of DPR position back to Novanto which survey carried by Indonesia Survey Institute was formerly held by Ade Komarudin. The (Lembaga Survei Indonesia), led by Denny JA substitution of chairman of DPR was believed to stated that Ahok electability has decreased every strengthen the Golkar Party support to the month. In March 2016 their electability slumped government. In relation to the Ahok case, there to 59.3 percent in July to 49.1 percent, 31.4 were internal frictions in Golkar Party because percent in October, and 24.6 percent in party's decision to support Ahok in Jakarta November [30]. The survey states that 89 gubernatorial election in 2017. The youth faction percent of Jakarta residents recognize this of Golkar party and a few elites showed their defamation case, but as much as 73.2 percent of opposition stance to the party's decision. respondents said that the speech of Ahok in However, Jokowi government required the full Kepulauan Seribu was a slip tongue that could support of Golkar Party, who has 91 seats in DPR, happen to anybody. Although electability Ahok

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to assure political stability and Novanto seems to to do a civil movement that is consistent with be the right person inflate the task. democratic principles. They keep making the On the other hand, the movement of the nationalism as the prominent value on the basis Defence Islam Action has led hardliner Islamic of love of their religion. Perhaps no country has group's leaders to be popular. They include Habib succeeded to apply the interface between Rizieq Shihab from FPI and Bachtiar Nasir from nationalism and religiosity like Indonesia. Islamic the Indonesia Council of Intellectual and Young groups in Indonesia can combine nationalism and Ulema (MIUI), who organized a movement religion in a harmonious relationship. organization called GNPF-MUI. Habib Rizieq, a But on the other hand, the political impact controversial figure due to his association with caused by the Defence Islam Action cannot be violence and hard speech, eventually appeared denied. Islamic civil society movement as occurs as a prominent Islamic mass leader on the in the Defence Islam Action could, intentionally national stage. With their actions, some Islamic or not, give the political advantages to the civil society increasingly enthusiastic, which they opposing candidate as indicated by a decrease of call for and support the leader from Islamic- Ahok electability. The impact is also seen in the based. Islamic groups and civil organizations no context of national politics, as reflected in their longer simply act as the supporting components return of Novanto as the DPR chairman. for the certain party and government, but has President Jokowi increasingly sought to begun to show the potency to build democracy strengthen political consolidation with various based on Islamic mass power in the future of parties, both friends and foe. The political Indonesia. tension around Ahok case also shows that the regime has not come out of the problem of CONCLUSION political consolidation that fought during the In the post-2014, Jokowi administration not two-year rule. Jokowi, who had insisted the slim only face the problem of consolidation of political and unconditional government coalition, has elites, but also face the increasingly thickening built a political power bloc that difficult to critical mass to the government. The critical mass disbursed. On top of all these phenomena, The mainly comes from Islamic groups or Islam Defence Action movement implies that }uuµv]š]• šZš •]v šZ ŒoÇ W}l}Á][• ‰Œ]} religious sentiment still interacts with the politics were less embraced because of ideological and could intensely shape Indonesia democracy bearer that PDIP has. Although Jokowi and Jusuf transition in the post 2014. Kalla has sought to build trust with NU and Muhammadiyah as a representation of REFERENCES Indonesia's largest Islamic civil organizations, it [1]. Porta DL, Diani M. Social Movement: an turns out that the effort to dilute suspicion of Introduction (Second Edition). USA, UK & Islamic groups to the regime was not enough. Australia: Blackwell Publishing; 2006. The Defence Islam Action that occurs three [2]. White G. Civil society, democratization and times in October, November and December development (I): Clearing the analytical proved that the strength of Islamic groups is still ground. Democratization. 1994;1(2):375t significant to the dynamics of national politics. 90. The pressure exerted by various Islamic civil [3]. Lipschutz RD. Power, Politics, and Global organizations at least had cause the government Civil Society. J Asian Stud. 2005;55(3):747t work agenda disturbed. Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla 69. repeatedly make the political safari to ensure the [4]. Jackson-Elmoore R, Hula RC, Reese LA. solidity of the political support. In other words, Reinventing Civil Society: The Emerging Islamic civil organizations play the role as a Role of Faith-Based Organizations. New counterweight to the state power that has been York: M.E. Sharpe; 2011. perceived as opposing their values. They can urge [5]. Hashem M. Contemporary Islamic Activism: the government without presenting anarchist the Shades of Praxis. Sociol Relig. action, although they have the possible amount 2006;67(1):23. of mass to make chaos. Moreover, during this [6]. Lofland J. Protest: Studies of Collective time the groups involved in the protests are Behavior and Social Movements. New tended to criticize the regime long before the Jersey: New Brunswick; 1985. blasphemy case. That phenomenon proves that the Islamic organizations in Indonesia were able

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