Concerns are abound whether Indonesia would see another surge of identity politics being drummed up by Aksi 212 movement again ahead of the 2024 elections.
Political Islam
In the campaign period of GE15, PAS and other right-wing groups successfully exploited the Malay Muslim insecurity. Following PAS’ spectacular showing in the election, the challenge to Malaysia ahead is not only about the growth of Islamism, but also the rise of right-wing Malay Muslim majoritarianism.
The dynamics behind the “Islamization race” in Malaysian politics is changing. Apart from the UMNO-PAS competition as the “defender” of Islam, Malaysia is currently experiencing “Islamization by trolling” with real life consequences.
Past governments in Malaysia had issued Islamic initiatives as the Inculcation of Noble Values, Islam Hadhari, Indeks Syariah Malaysia, Rahmatan-lil-‘Alamin, Manhaj Rabbani and Inisiatif Mantap, all of which sizzled out following the fall of their respective political advocates. What may be the next Islamic initiative by the new government after the 15th General Election (GE15)?
Comprising 64% of the total population, the Malay-Muslim group in Malaysia is experiencing political fragmentation with Malay-based parties/coalitions fighting a four-corner fight to grab the group’s votes in the 15th General Election (GE15). But will these parties/coalitions resort to an exclusivist approach focusing on Malay-Muslims?
This article explores multiple factors influencing voters’ acceptance and rejection of both PAS and UMNO in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).
Various Islamist actors are competing and collaborating with each other across different political parties and coalitions in GE15. With different political and social participation, they have undergone various transformations although do not necessarily give up their ideological commitment.
The decline of interfaith dialogue in Indonesia comes at a time when there is a growing reluctance to accept people of different identities. This is concerning as recent conservatism swing has particularly made people more religious but not necessarily spiritual, making it harder for people to embrace the spirit of pluralism that has been ingrained in the Indonesian society for so long. Thus, there is an urgent need to revitalise this process in the country.
Sharia politics as a political force peaked in 2016 and 2017 but has struggled to maintain its momentum in recent years. Despite setbacks, it is in no way out of the picture. Will it make a comeback in 2024?
While Islamist parties are still a long way from dominating the upcoming Indonesian elections, conservative Muslim voters will become increasingly indispensable to presidential hopefuls, adding pressures on religious liberty in Indonesia.