PWM DKI Jakarta: Muhammadiyah Residents Must Not Be Apathy

 Muhammadiyah's non-involvement in practical politics does not mean that it is an obstacle for Muhammadiyah members to participate in political life. In fact, Muhammadiyah encourages its citizens to actively participate in political life.

This was conveyed by the Deputy Chairperson of the DKI Jakarta Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership, Prof. Dr. Agus Suradika, M.Pd., when he was the keynote speaker in a Public Discussion held by the  Research and Development Institute for the DKI Jakarta Aisyiyah Region, at the Alia Cikini Hotel, Jakarta, Monday (25/09/2023). 

According to Agus Suradika, Muhammadiyah members need to refer to the life guidelines formulated by Muhammadiyah. Some of them explained that Muhammadiyah members needed to take part and should not be apathetic in political life.

"My interpretation is that the law of participation in political life is obligatory 'ain, not kifayah. "At least the lowest level is to participate in elections and not abstain," he said.

Agus emphasized this interpretation based on the explanation in the guidelines which states that politics is part of muamalah which aims to truly build society. Therefore, Muhammadiyah politicians are obliged to show exemplary behavior, including being honest, fair, and distancing themselves from dirty, destructive politics.

“Muhammadiyah provides guidance on all aspects of life. "Doing politics is not just to take power but to get closer to Allah SWT," concluded the Professor at Muhammadiyah University, Jakarta (  ).

Agus gave several examples of community groups who were active as election participants. This was done to encourage Muhammadiyah members to have the view that politics is important because the fate of a nation is determined by the political process.

So in politics, Muhammadiyah has its own flow. Agus explained that there are three streams of Muhammadiyah political practice, namely power politics, national politics, and high politics vs low politics.

"Even though Muhammadiyah as an institution prefers national politics, inclusive politics, at the practical level there seems to be a desire to be more concrete in power politics based on moral strength," he said.

The Public Discussion which carried the theme Civilized Elections Towards a Better Democracywas attended by Aisyiyah cadres, Nasyiatul Aisyiyah, Muhammadiyah youth generation, and others. Also present was the Chairman of  Dra. Elo Albugis, M.Ag., and PDA in the DKI Jakarta area.

The Public Discussion will be held again on Wednesday 27 September 2023 and will present several speakers, namely Ahmad Rofiq (Muhammadiyah cadre, political practitioner), Dr. Endang Sulastri, M.Sc. (Chair of the LPPA PWA DKI Jakarta Study Division), and Prof. Dr. Syamsiatun (Chair of LPPA PP Aisyiyah). 

Sumber: Website UMJ