FPI Rejects The Leadership Of The Women's President In Today's History, July 24, 2001

Organizations of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) often reject Indonesian Presidents from among Women. (VOI/Irfan Meidianto)

JAKARTA History today, 22 years ago, July 24, 2001, the Central Leadership Council (DPP) of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) strongly rejects the leadership of the Indonesian Women's President. This rejection was because the power of attorney had determined the figure of Megawati Soekarnoputri as the new Indonesian number one.

Previously, Megawati's role as the New Order (Orba) opposition provoked attention. All Indonesians also consider him a change figure, as was the service of his father, Soekarno.

Megawati is one of the prominent figures in the New Order era. Megawati's courage against the New Order power was behind it. This narrative made Megawati's popularity as the son of the great leader of the revolution, Bung Karno increased. Especially when Megawati became the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) in de facto in 1993.

He, who initially did not attract the attention of the political world, then shook the power of the New Order. Megawati is considered a person who has the potential to shake the New Order's power. The power owner did not remain silent. Various teachings were played to bring down Megawati.

However, there is no strategy that makes Megawati's guts relax. Criticism of the New Order leadership that does not side with the people continues to be voiced. The New Order also had bad luck. Economic recession 1997-1998 appeared like a wave that swept the New Order's power.

The end of the New Order Power made Megawati's name seeded as the new President of Indonesia. This hope has not been realized because Bacharuddin Jusuf (BJ) Habibie and Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) first filled the position of nahhoda Indonesia.

Megawati's position only knocked as Vice President of Indonesia accompanying Gus Dur. Megawati's dream only came true when Gus Dur made blunders many times. Gus Dur was removed by the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly from his position as President of Indonesia.

Megawati then took into account her position. Megawati was also the first woman in history to become Indonesia's number one person.

"Thankfully, Gus Dur asked and supported the election in the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, Mrs. Megawati, to become vice president. After Gus Dur was announced, automatically according to the 1945 Constitution, Mrs. Megawati as vice president was inaugurated as president of Indonesia on July 23, 2001. And, according to Pak Hamzah Haz's consensus, the general chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) was elected vice president.

Mrs. Megawati became president of the Republic of Indonesia not because of the election process but because Gus Dur was brought down. Because of this case, Mrs. Megawati proposed to design a law for the next presidential election and governor and regent/mayor in person by the people. That's why Mrs. Megawati is called the Mother of Democracy," explained Siswono Yudo Husodo in the bookNegeri Thousands of Rainbows: Transformation Towards a Better System (2022).

Megawati's inauguration was greeted with great fanfare. Megawati's leadership was then aligned with great women from other countries, such as Benazir Bhutto or Margaret Thatcher. Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah (1998-2005), Ahmad Syafii Maarif, let alone.

The man who is familiarly called Buya Syafii said Megawati was able to overcome old assumptions. He considered Megawati's figure to be able to undermine ancient assumptions about the role of women who are only good at kitchen affairs.

However, not all Islamic organizations perpetuate puja-puji. FPI, for example. The FPI DPP strongly rejects women being present as President of Indonesia the day after Megawati's inauguration, or on July 24, 2001. Islam prohibits women from becoming leaders, he said.

FPI then perpetuated its stance by emphasizing that the Al Quran, Hadith and also the most (class) scholars clearly prohibit the president from women. A man who should be President of Indonesia, not a woman. This attitude is actually not new. because, FPI has rejected women as President in previous years.

Gus Dur lost support from major Islamic parties that initially supported the government and he stepped down in July 2001. Gus Dur also lost support from the MPR RI. Several politicians who previously supported, including Hamzah Haz, no longer had interest. The leader of the United Development Party (PPP) is happy to be the Vice President accompanying Megawati.

However, a number of Islamic groups, especially FPIs, continue to choose opposing views with most party leaders and Islamic figures. They strongly reject the presence of women as President of Indonesia. "explained Kathryn Robinson in the book Islamic Respectives on the New Millennium (2004).