Haedar Nashir: Building Public Civility

HARIS FIRDAUS

General Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Haedar Nasir.

In a special interview with Kompas, chairman of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir, explained Muhammadiyah's agenda priorities for the next five years. He also highlighted Muhammadiyah's position in the 2024 election and the relationship between the organization and the government.

Haedar Nashir was reelected as general chairman of the central executive board of Muhammadiyah for the second period, namely 2022-2027. A series of agendas and strategic issues for social, national and universal humanity will be the concern of the organization under his leadership for the next five years. He will not only strengthen the mass base at the grass roots, but also social changes following reform, globalization and the revolution of information technology.

The following are excerpts from a Kompas' interview with Haedar Nashir on the sidelines of the 48th Muhammadiyah Congress and its women’s wing Aisyiyah in Surakarta, Central Java, on Sunday (20/11/2022).

Question: What are Muhammadiyah's agenda priorities for the next five years?

Answer: First, to strengthen the community's grassroots base. This is not only for Muhammadiyah, but for the benefit of the nation. In the midst of social change, both post-reform and post-globalization, coupled with the revolution of information technology, our society is actually struggling not to be uprooted from its cultural roots based on religion, the nation's noble traditions and in the context of the nation, of course Pancasila. This change is so important that even Microsoft declared our society as uncivilized.

Second, to produce a treatise on progressive Islam as a reflection of the Muhammadiyah movement. Since its establishment, it has been implemented not just in theory. This can be seen from how KH Ahmad Dahlan reformed education to become modern, then translated sura Al Maun (a chapter in the Quran) into creating hospitals, homes for the poor and orphanages.

Then, no less revolutionary, was the establishment of the Aisyiyah women's movement in 1917 which not only had a religious dimension, but also dismantled the patriarchal cultural order that encircled women. Change in the Islamic way of thinking is always adaptive in responding to the challenges of the times.

HARIS FIRDAUS

General Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Haedar Nasir.

But that was progressive Islam in early generations. Now, in the midst of the modernization of the 21st century, which people call postmodern, in the moral dimension Muhammadiyah must give birth to public civility. Public civilization should be inclusive and its values shared. For example, people have awareness, such as disposing trash in its place, a culture of clean living. It is simple. Then there is no hate speech on social media when our views are different, let alone trigger hatred between groups.

So, progressive Islam must display the process of institutionalizing Islamic values ​​that bring unity, peace, social cohesion and be able to create public civility. Furthermore, it must be an ethos of progress for all citizens.

How to institutionalize Islamic values ​​to create public civility?

Of course, society must be economically independent in order to become a strong civil society. Realizing a strong civil society is not only by building political awareness and democratic awareness, but strengthening the people's economy. If its economic condition is still weak, it will continue to become victim to all kinds of shackled structures.

The natives in this context are Indonesians, not opposing entities.

Therefore, Muhammadiyah integrates all of its activities to develop business, economy and entrepreneurship. In the past, Muhammadiyah existed in the midst of an economically strong Islamic community. Muhammadiyah lived in centers of batik production, textile factories owned by native merchants. The natives in this context are Indonesians, not opposing entities.

Next, Muhammadiyah will try to be more dynamic in encouraging this nation in a more progressive role of community, nationality and even universal humanity. We can grow together as a plural society. So far, we have been stagnant. We still make a lot of noise together and in the end we also accept the consequences. If it's still like this, then there will be no end.

KOMPAS/MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

General Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Haedar Nasir.

For this reason, during the elections we invite the public and elites to be more rational. Okay, there is a background of differences in ideology and identity, which is unavoidable. However, this should not prolong political conflicts. There is a need to be rational, developing a pure mind, which in Muhammadiyah terms means thinking scientifically and objectively. With rationality, we can understand that prolonged conflicts will actually harm ourselves. No one will benefit from the conflict. Our society must be educated and the elite must not play with fire to take advantage of this.

How can Muhammadiyah position itself in the midst of potential conflicts that could arise ahead of the 2024 elections?

Muhammadiyah's position is certainly neutral and active to play a role in overseeing the democratic process. However, we keep our distance. We are not partisan because we are not a political party. We are also not in a position to make a nomination and indeed we are a religious and proselytizing organization. So, in this context, Muhammadiyah is neutral, active and constructive.

The government as a common property, when overseeing elections must be in a wise position, not involved in contestation.

The 2024 elections must be a democratic process that must be direct, general, free, confidential, honest and fair as a procedural democracy. We must ensure that elections are an open process, where all parties carry out their roles according to their respective positions. Political parties should carry out the tasks of political parties. The government as a common property, when overseeing elections must be in a wise position, not involved in contestation. This is because if the state is involved in contestation, let alone taking sides with one candidate, it will no longer be fair. The general Elections Commission (KPU) especially as an organizer must be fairer. That is what is called accountability in a transparent democratic process.

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

General Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Haedar Nasir.

Furthermore, we should ensure that there is a platform and a common vision in framing the 2024 election as a new leadership transformation process. In the legislative context, let’s build a national vision that is truly translated from the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution so that it can't be separated from that frame. So, there is a kind of national vision that becomes a shared commitment.

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In a contest that everyone wants to win and because they want to win, they do all kinds of things and they forget the principles of democracy which are based on Pancasila, our commitment as a nation. So, no matter how much you want to compete, there must be dialogue between contestants and between political parties so that hostilities do not go beyond the limit. If you are suspicious of each other, you should meet each other. We, Muhammadiyah, can become mediators.

Finally, we should ensure that candidates in the presidential, regional head and legislative elections have the spirit of Pancasila principles. They must agree to lay down the democratic process based on wisdom and open up space for deliberation. Do not be selfish.

But after winning, you forget all of them.

Then, put the interests of the nation above personal and group interests. As a result, whoever the people trust, he must use that trust to make the people prosperous with a sense of love and responsibility. Do not be like “a peanut that forgets its skin.” When you want to get support, you are so passionate about loving the people. But after winning, you forget all of them.

The President has asked Muhammadiyah to continue to support the government so that Indonesia could be bright amidst the gloom. How to translate it?

It is like a parent supporting their child, continuing to provide support. But, at the same time, giving a warning when the child is dynamic. Kids have different characters.

This means that Muhammadiyah, as the force that co-founded this country, will always support, encourage and of course cooperate, collaborate with the government to advance Indonesia. However, we will also provide input, criticism that is elegant and based on objectivity, also ensuring that there are no policies that are too enthusiastic in certain matters but do not consider the negative aspects and impacts of the policy. If there is something like that, we will provide input.

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

General Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Haedar Nasir.

So, when we submit criticism and input, do not take it as a form of dislike. Do not consider it as a form of opposition. Do not take it as a form of opposition. To be precise, this is a form of love in a positive way. Like human beings, Indonesia should be built to be mature. People become mature because their parents teach love and discipline. If you give only love without discipline, children will not only be spoiled but they will also not become independent. A nation can be like that too.

So, in going forward, accountability is important. In the future, our democracy must also open up public control as wide as possible for a good purpose, for checks and balances. We must also become a rational nation, which means we can be straightforward. If there is a problem, it must be resolved so that it will not become bigger. We must learn to solve problems quickly. Yes, like sweet and bitter coffee, both taste good.

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).