Indonesian Election 2014: Vote or Not To Vote

Realcount calculations have recently concluded by Indonesian Election committee (KPU) and the result PDI-P as the party with the most votes 18.95%. The question who would later become President? Jokowi versus Prabowo? But often people forget the more important questions such as the extent to which the party and elected leaders can bring and ensure our salvation later in the presence of Allah? The extent to which they can bring Indonesian Muslims back into the primary agent of Indonesian & world civilization? Or we are already too pessimistic and apathetic?

After eleven times through six Presidential elections and change, the fact is improvement and change that was promised never came. A dozen times already the election carried out but the public welfare is still only a fantasy. Representatives of the people come and go, each time also our people only used as a commodity. Leaders changed many times but the people always received disappointment and loss.

Indonesian society is heterogeneous and consists of a wide variety of religious, ethnic, racial and cultural, it is make own color for the life of the Indonesian nation. This condition has an impact on the understanding and reasoning diverse community in reviewing various things, such as the democratic system. Society has recently been implementing "Democratic party", this is an activity that is conducted once in five years, to select representatives of the people through elections. Regarding the "democracy" there arose a variety of opinions pro and contra of this system, given the heterogeneous Indonesian society.

According to Anisa Cempaka a college student activist, she said that, "Democracy is only used as a tool or vehicle, if this democracy can enter the values ​​of Islam why do not we use?  Indeed, the democracy of the west but if give beneficiaries greater, we can use this system. I have read about the book by Anis Matta  “Gerakan ke Negara” there is not explained specifically what the system should be in use,  democracy could be used as a system, otherwise it depends on the wearer, for example if the wearer is not good , democracy would be bad, but the implement  of democracy  the good people will be good too ".

Another opinion is that support democracy came from a college student activist of musical ballads and fairy tales, Agie gymafara, he said that, “Democracy let people be people, so fine. Moreover the democracy provides and protects grassroots”. On the outside of some people argue on the democratic system rejects it as it is expressed by Rini, a college student activist also, she said that “Democracy has rules derived from human, but  Islam has rules being sourced from Allah. Here it is clear that significant differences, democracy doesn’t deserve to be the system, I don’t agree to democracy or I can say that democracy is not feasible in Indonesia. I think democracy is a good system from a bad system, but there is a much better system, it is Islamic system.”

Statements of each group who believe differently to the democracy of course is based on the reasonable grounds, such as those who believe democracy is only used as a tool, not the other refers to the situation of today's society, among many ordinary people who don’t understand the system of Islam, for that we cannot radically implement Islamic system, another alternative is needed that is able to implement the values ​​of Islam are slowly, democracy is used as a tool towards the noble goal of "Enforce Islam Rahmatanlilalamin". However, people who are adamant to the Islamic system never look another law than the law of Allah is much better and Islamic system has triumphed over the 14 century, besides imitate Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h attitude exemplifies everything that has been good in terms of education, social, legal and other, besides imitate Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h attitude exemplifies everything that has been good in terms of education, social, legal and other.  And cling to prophetic manhaj make Islam to be the only rule.

It is no doubt that the Qur'an are used as guidelines Islamic system is the law of God which cannot be equated with human law but the existence of a democratic system, capable of making a real proof of our work on the community to contribute and take part in determining the policies issued by the government, through parliament fields.  Once again that democracy only used as a tool towards enforce the ideals of Islam on earth Allah especially Indonesia, which is the vehicle will be a little instill Islamic values.

Differences of opinion on this democracy, of course, impact to abstentions  who remain a number of concerns in every election for some people who still choose them more aware of the Islamic system, abstentions are allowed on the grounds of a different mindset or different ideologies, but for others, abstentions  is seen as a very sad thing this may occur because abstentions despair because there is no figure of Indonesian leaders much better, look at the number of officials caught for corruption.  Nevertheless these  non-voters who should be given the approach and understanding on good terms, that the non-voters would not provide the best solution for Indonesia.

Regardless of any understanding of democracy and dissent, as Indonesia's young generation, must be willing to have the desire and contribution to Indonesia's much better as dictated Anisa Cempaka, " I am now active in the organization of the movement, then my contribution to Indonesia could criticize government policies if it is less pro-people we can criticize example with action. As well, I have joined Action Fuel 2012, and  this action was not in vain because he fuel is not so increased, professionalism and God willing, become a teacher, I would like to provide  level intellectual.”

In contrast to Anisa, a musical activist ballads and fairy,  Agy gyma said that, “My contribution to music in Indonesia, although in my music the theme of fairy tales or stories or lifting a long tradition, which from there is not just music but can give advice or more values ​​to the people”, and  Rini said that “I contribute to implement and trying to spread slam, through preaching, besides make regular review about Islam , and muhasabah to the public.

What if we change the question? Islam as a solution from God, Has God has shown us a way to establish it in the best way according to Him? Of course base on the Quran, the Sunna and Sirah (History). Maybe we could take a lesson from the placement of one of prophet companions Ibn Abbas ra by Prophet in Darun-Nadwah (read: Parliament of Mecca). Prophet asked him to not declare his convert to Islam in order to gather information from prominent person of the Quraish. There are at least two lessons we can take that; First that its okay we put people in parliament as long as has clear purpose and assigned by Islam leader/Imam, which is the second major scenario remains the Prophet of Islam to establish and build Islamic system from outside the existing system. No matter what we choose, we should not blame each other. Even if Muslims disagree, we are encouraged to argue with wisdom and good way. A believer and a Muslim should always make the establishment of Islam as Rahmatan lil aalamin as his ideals.

June 2014. Inspiring Islam team. From many sources.

See previous post about "Cut the path from sin"