ISLAM AND POLITICS

Political Dilemma of PKS Prior to Cabinet Reshuffle

Statement made by Anis Matta Secretary General of PKS (Prosperous and Justice Party) that his party has been considering to withdraw its support from SBY government is interesting to be scrutinized.

Does PKS brave enough to do so and to clearly state its position as party opposition to the SBY-JK coalition? Or did the statement just a 'shock therapy' to increase party's bargaining position to ask more cabinet members if SBY truly reshuffled his cabinet post Iedul Fitri as commonly assumed by commentators?

This question is understandable due to at least two factors. Firstly, why does this issue put forward prior to cabinet reshuffle? And the second reason is why PKS brings up the issues but postponed its decision to be an opposition until the president officially announced the reshuffle? Yet, it seems to me that it is better for PKS to announce, as soon as possible, its position rather than waiting till the reshuffle has been done.


Political Calculation

At the political arena, it is natural that political party considers profit and cost. Thus, it is comprehensible if political elites of PKS have been calculating the benefits and costs before they make a final decision.

If finally PKS get out from the SBY-JK government, the party would get several political advantages.

Firstly, PKS would have munificent opportunity to criticize the government's policies particularly its policy which disadvantage grass root people. PKS, for example, would not have physiological burden to strictly criticize and reject government?s policy in rising up fuel price that make more poor people suffering. PKS can also unhesitatingly refuse an idea to increase parliament member?s salary and presidential budget that have become controversial issues.

Secondly, party's image as a clean and care party which always struggles for the grass root constituents could be maintained. The image of SBY-JK government which is very slow in handling corruptions and does not have 'a sense of crises' will not be addressed to PKS anymore. PKS will not be stigmatized as part of government partner who has lost ?sense of crises?.


Thirdly, if PKS bravely left government coalition, the party could avoid party?s internal conflict as commonly happen in other parties. Several parties? branches both in provincial and district level have encouraged the national party leaders to pull its support from the government coalition. Fail to accommodate grass root constituents? aspiration could lead to the party?s conflict.


Fourthly, stand back from the government coalition could avoid ?stigma? that PKS is similar with others party which commonly break their promise during campaign. Parties are commonly assumed to forget what they promise during election campaign.


I believe, of course, that parties? leaders are aware of these advantages. However, it seems that parties? elites still consider the costs and disadvantages if they totally stand back to become purely opposition party.

PKS seems to me that they do not want to lose their cadres to be actively involved in the government. They perceived that losing their cadres in the cabinet means lost their opportunity to promote their cadre in national level.

It could be also that the party?s leaders still calculate their political strategy for the 2009 general election. PKS should consider that if they pull out their support from SBY-JK government means that they automatically should pull Hidayat Nurwahid from the position of MPR leadership. It is commonly believed by the commentators that Nurwahid got his position due to ?political compensation? for PKS when they nominated Yudhoyono as president.

Push Nurwahid to resign, it means that PKS reduces his chance to be politically promoted for president in 2009. Thus, only PKS political leaders who know their political agenda and strategy whether they will become an opposition or still support SBY-JK government. It is really dilemma for them to decide particularly if they look at the future agenda for 2009 general election. Let?s wait and see which option PKS will take.

posted by Alin at 4:53 PM