Blunder Presidium Alumni 212: The Struggle Of Defending Islam Shifted To Hary Tanoesoedibjo

The atmosphere of the 212 reunion in the Monas area, Jakarta, Monday (2/12/2019). (ANTARA PHOTO/Aruna)

JAKARTA - The action to defend Islam on December 2, 2016 (212) was once considered a form of unity for Muslims. This moment was seen as important because Muslims unite against blasphemers Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok). The result was brilliant that Muslims succeeded in forcing Ahok to enter the bui.

Recently, the 212 Alumni Presidium was formed. However, the form of struggle is in question. Alumni 212 actually defended the boss of the MNC Group, Hari Tanoesoedibjo (HT). A political support that made Muslims doubt what 212 was fighting for.

Politicians must be able to maintain their words. That is an important message to Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok). The Governor of DKI Jakarta from the 2014-2017 era once slipped a tongue linking politics and religion. Ahok blunders to carry the holy verses of the Koran in his speech in September 2016.

Ahok's goal initially gave advice so that the citizens of Jakarta would not easily get caught up in identity politics. Ahok frees the choice of Jakarta residents according to conscience. He asked Jakarta residents not to be easily lied to by Al Maidah 51's letter.

A letter revealing that the leader must believe. Ahok's words were then seen as two means. Some view Ahok as revealing Al Maidah who lied to the residents. Ahok's words also mean that people use Al Maidah to deceive the people.

The problem is that many people are the first. Ahok thought Al Maidah lied to the citizens of Jakarta. As a result, the anger of Muslims is unbearable, Ahok is considered a blasphemer. However, the police have never arrested Ahok.

Actions to defend Islam are everywhere. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) became the pioneers. They then launched a massive action in Jakarta: 212 Islamic Defenders Action. The action succeeded in showing the strength of Muslims and demanding that the government act decisively against blasphemers.

Muslims from various regions of the archipelago flocked to crowd Jakarta to participate in the action demanding Ahok be arrested. The action then became a discussion everywhere going abroad. The 212 action was also considered a form of unity among Indonesian Muslims.

In the 212 action, a political-religious movement later stands out as a reaction to the statement made by the Governor, Ahok. Ahok's statement is considered a ending. Ahok is a Christian seen by many members of the 212 Action participants as a threat to their religious values and feelings.

The 212 Action Movement, then, was developed to warn Muslims against threats and notify them of the backgrounds and positions of various regional leadership candidates, said Ismet Fanany and Rebecca Fanany in the book Popularism, Democracy and Community Development (2020).

The 212 action may be over. However, the Islamic defense movement continues to echo. As a result, those who became leaders of the Islamic defense action, from MUI to FPI formed the 212 Alumni Presidium (now: 212 Alumni Brotherhood). A group that aims to continue the struggle to defend religion.

Problems also arise. Instead of fighting for the interests or livelihoods of Muslims in Indonesia. The 212 Alumni Presidium was actually brought into the political realm. The 212 alumni was actually brought to full support by the boss of the MNC Group, Hary Tanoesoedibjo (HT), who is considered to be criminalized by the government.

HT is accused of threatening prosecutor Yulianto via text message SMS in the Mobile 8. HT considers the message sent not a threat. However, his political attitude. Recently, alumni 212 sided with HT.

Support for HT is considered a form of solidarity. 212 alumni likes to show that her group is able to open up to defending those who are not just people. A Chinese-Kristen person was also supported.

Almuni 212 also took action demanding that Komnas HAM defend HT on July 14, 2017. The 212 alumni carries the essence of Islamic teachings that defends anyone who is wronged by the state.

Support for HT was criticized by many parties. The Grand Imam of FPI, Rizieq Shihab also spoke up. He admitted that he was disappointed and thought that Alumni 212 was too political to support HT. Rizieq considers Alumni 212 has deviated from its duties to defend matters related to the problems of Muslims.

As a result, the chairman of the 212 Alumni Presidium, Ansufri Sambo, was removed. Sambo was later replaced by FPI spokesman Slamet Maarif as chairman. The change then brought hope that Alumni 212 would stand up to defend Muslims, not others.

"So you see, Habib was disappointed with the 212 Alumni Presidium. Actually, the existing points were good. But suddenly at the last point, point four, namely defending Hary Tanoe for the government's arbitrariness action from the prosecutor's office and the police."

"Well, this for Habib is not pure. Because Hary Tanoe does not stand alone, the legal issues are also very political. The politics, they are more common. If Habib Rizieq is a struggle related to the spirit of Islam. Well, this is what makes Habib disappointed with the Presidium Alumni 212," said Rizieq's legal adviser, Sugito Atmo Prawiro as quoted on the page.com, July 18, 2017.