Hizbut-Tahrir Indonesia Wants To Be A Political Party

Posted on Jun 30, 2011

Islam organization Hizbut-Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) has confirm itself as one of Indonesian a political party even though they have not been directly involved in national and regional general elections in the country like other more formal political parties.

The group has been trying to get Indonesia to use Sharia Law.

“Hizbut-Tahrir is an Islamic political party. We have been a political party since the beginning” said Muhammad Ismail Yusanto, Hizbut spokesman in a press conference in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, Wednesday (06/29/2011).

He explained that political parties have four interrelated functions such as education, aspiration, aggregation (the interest groups) and representation.

Hizbut Tahrir flag

“What we have not done in Indonesia is only the fourth function, representation. It’s just a plutocracy matters such as enrollment in Legal and Human Right Minister,” said Ismail.

Other functions, he argues, has already been applied by HTI. The function of education for example is conducted through routine information dissemination as well as conference, as it held today, the Rajab conference. “The function of aspiration for example is done through writings in the media, delivering the people aspirations and lodged demands directly to the House of Representatives, and various demonstrations we have held as well as the aggregation function,” said Ismail.

Ismail does not provide any certainty as to when HTI will be directly involved in the representation function formally and legally registered as one of the Islamic parties in Indonesia. He did explain that Hizbut-Tahrir in the world is already known as an Islamic political party.

This statement however was rejected by other Islam based political party. Fawaid Syadzili Ahmad, chairman of NU Lakpesdam Pamekasan said that the HTI is not qualified to apply as a political party in Indonesia.

He reasons that HTI would not recognize Pancasila as the foundation of the Republic of Indonesia as a country like any other political parties.

“They believe that the system of governance in Indonesia is illegal because it does not follow the pagan concept of the caliphate,” explained Fawaid, when contacted on Wednesday.

Fawaid added that it is fine if HTI wants to be a political party in Indonesia. But they need to recognize the republic and Pancasila as the state ideology.

“In an era of democracy anyone can set up organizations or political parties. But it must not conflict with Pancasila,” he added.

Hizb ut-Tahrir is a party founded by Sheikh Taqiyuddin An Nabhani in 1953 in Palestine. Its activities are divided into three stages such as coaching (tatsqif), interacting with people (tafa’ul ma’a al-umma), and ask for help from those who have real power (al-mushrah thalab).

Hizb ut-Tahrir is also mentioned to follow fikriyyah line of thinking and siyasiyyah politics without using violence.