Indonesia: Between a rock and a hard place?

Op-ed by Julia Suryakusuma

We have a saying: Cacing saja kalau diinjak pasti menggeliat (even a worm will squirm when trodden upon).

Well, we Indonesians are certainly not worms. Radicalism and Islamic conservatism have been on the rise for a while now, not just treading, but stomping on other people’s beliefs, customs, traditions and human rights.

There’s always been resistance toward Islamic radicalism and conservatism, except that before it was simply a way of being: the moderate and inclusive Islam that Indonesia had long been famous for.

Various institutions that promote religious tolerance, pluralism and human rights abound, for example, the MAARIF Institute, the Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace, the Wahid Institute, the Leimena Institute and several Muslim feminist NGOs such as Fahmina, Rahima and Puan Amal Hayati. Even the two largest Muslim organizations in Indonesia put forward their own “brand” of moderate Islam. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) coined the term Islam Nusantara (Islam of the Archipelago), which has existed since the 16th century but was “officially” relaunched in 2015. Muhammadiyah, the second-largest Muslim organization after the NU, used the term Islam Berkemajuan (Progressive Islam) also in 2015.

However, in the age of social media, the resistance has come up on … YouTube! Not surprisingly, considering its nationwide penetration of 88 percent, it’s one of the best ways to get your ideas or products across to the public at large.

Recently I discovered the delightfully bold and refreshing Cokro TV (cokro.tv), a YouTube channel presenting short videos addressing some of the most vexing current sociopolitical issues in Indonesia today, many related to Islam.

One of the first I watched, dated last Dec. 30, was a five-minute video by Ade Armando on “Lessons of 2019: Fraudsters using religion as a mask”. How easy it is in Indonesia, he says, to use religion to con people, just by giving it a religious label like “sharia” or “halal”. He cites various examples, including how religion was used to take down former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian ethnic Chinese. Likewise, Anies Baswedan became Jakarta governor by capitalizing on Ahok’s downfall, and getting conservative Islamic forces to rally behind him.

Ade’s program is called “Logika Ade” (Ade’s Logic), which address issues from polygamy, the hijab, radicalism, also topical issues like corruption, the Jakarta floods, the river “normalization” projects, the cutting of 190 trees around the National Monument (Monas) for a supposed “revitalization” program (considered by many to be an environmental crime), etc. As a communications expert who lectures at the University of Indonesia (UI), he is very adept in presenting his arguments in a calm, logical and persuasive manner.

“Timeline” is presented by Denny Siregar, currently a social media activist, who addresses current affairs like the omnibus law, the Cabinet performance after 100 days, state companies, economic policies, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and other hot topics, including related to Islam. His slogan is “markibong!” — short for “mari kita bongkar” (let’s expose or debunk). Denny’s style is punchy, forceful, macho, at times verging on bombastic. There are rumors that he’s a buzzer for the current Jokowi administration, which he vehemently denies.

Perhaps the most amusing presenter is Eko Kuntadhi, on his Channel 17+ program which is set up like a daily newscast. Eko’s preppy style, square eyeglasses, witticisms, deliberate slip of tongues, presented in his characteristic deadpan, almost robotic expression, and the occasional canned laughter (just in case you missed the joke!) makes his program the funniest.

Occasional presenters include Syafiq Hasyim, Akhmad Sahal and Dara Nasution who speak on Islam-related topics such as fatwa, halal certification, polygamy, the tendency of accusing others of being kafir (infidels), criticism of clerics who distort Islam and spread hatred, and the ever controversial hijab.

Cokro TV is not shy about its partisanship: It is pro-Jokowi. This is unsurprising given its origins as a campaign team for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s reelection at the end of 2018. They are also not reticent about criticizing Anies on what they consider to be his ineptitude in managing Jakarta and his seeming misuse of government funds. Not surprising they say, considering that he was merely voted in for religious reasons, not for his competence.

According to Nong Darol Mahmada, one of Cokro TV’s initiators, its subscribers have almost reached 450,000 and growing. She said, “We want Cokro TV to be at the media forefront in educating the public to counter and fight against radicalism and intolerance in Indonesia”.

What about backlash, I asked? So far it’s only from Anies’ supporters, she replied, who Jokowi supporters and buzzers call kadrun which some consider racist. It’s short for kadal gurun (desert lizard), in reference to radical Islamic groups who engage in what “Jokowers” consider anti-Pancasila and anti-NKRI (the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia) demonstrations.

The existence of Cokro TV and other such efforts is great. However, can they even put a dent in today’s political landscape and modus operandi dominated by oligarchs on the one hand, and ultraconservative Islamic groups on the other?

In his second term, Jokowi has been accused of betraying his principles, also to win his second term election. “There’s more to life than infrastructure”, says The Economist (April 13, 2019), referring to his emphasis on infrastructure development. “Joko Widodo has a good record on poverty, but his political tactics are increasingly shabby”, they write. It’s true that even his erstwhile supporters became deeply disappointed in Jokowi’s lackluster attention to human rights, his neglect of minorities, also the way he handled Papua.

The title of an article on tirto.id by Reja Hidayat, “A new Cabinet to counter radicalism or to muzzle democracy?” (Oct. 25, 2019) doesn’t need much explanation. “Radicalism is a frightening specter for the government, but […] it’s also a means to silence critics”, Reja writes. Also, remember that the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) was a paramilitary group founded in 1998 with close ties to the military. Collusion anyone?

So is Indonesia now between the rock (of state authoritarianism) and a hard place (Islamic radicalism)? Or are they merely two sides of a coin to buttress the oligarchic power structure that currently rules Indonesia? If this is the case, then is Cokro TV and similarly progressive and critical outfits merely safety valves to release the pressure of our dissatisfaction with the current situation, while the powers that be carry on their ways?

Maybe — wallahu a’lam (only God knows).

Source: The Jakarta Post