Masyumi, a Muslim political party in 1945-1960 era, is considered as "rigid" political party due to its black-white policy toward different issues in parliament. The above quote is the reply to such mockery, by its chairman, M. Natsir -as quoted by Yusril Ihza Mahendra in "100 Tahun Muhammad Natsir: Berdamai Dengan Sejarah." (100 years Muhammad Natsir: In Truce with History).
Natsir, a longest chairman of Masjumi is considered as a intellectual-politician, soft and friendly in character, but sharp in views and opinions. He also served as first prime minister during first day of Indonesian independece. His involvement in Revolutionary Government of Republic of Indonesia, a movement-labelled-rebellion in opposition of Soekarno's dictatorship (and communist) tendency in 1960s caused a delay of his inauguration of national hero.
For those who are lucky to witness Indonesian history since Soekarno era, such statement is an expression of honesty and politeness (but bravety) of a politician, considering political strength of the president of the time. It is well-known that Soekarno, the first president, is a flambouyant man-turn-authoritarian, who ambushes anybody who is considered impediment to his ideas and ambition. Masyumi is not an exception. Soekarno's best ally, Indonesian Communist Party called Masyumi as Kepala Batu (stone-head, stubborn) in their most popular jingle, "Genjer-genjer". However, Masyumi top figures stayed patient, unified and cool-headed. They replied every issue in very coordinated way, even in a very heat situation such as the one closed to October 1965 coup. When nobody dared to speak a single word against Soekarno and PKI, Masyumi people keep reminding to what they considered as right and warning against any evil. Eventough all people are in feared of the shadows of "red" (refers to Communits domination) and revolution.
Back to "practicing politics with principle", do we have such a method today? When I was an instructor in an Islamic mass organization, some young and pious people used to criticize Masyumi for being failed in shaping Indonesian political landscape with Islamic values. They say, many decisions by its top leaders are considered as being misleading and had a liberal tendency. In addition, they tend to feel more convenience with their non-muslim friends instead of their (traditional) muslim counterpart.
Today, the same people whom I notice to have harsh criticims against Masyumi, are involved in a muslim-dominated party which is considered as best coordinated and united group. When I meet them by chance in one discussion recently, I remind them about their own criticism and warn them about repercussion effect or repetition of history, that they might do the same thing as what they criticize. Strangely they easily reply my warning, that in politics we cannot hold on a black-white policy, since politics is an art of bargaining about what two sides can give or receive each other. After long description and explanation of their party platform, I found that these people actually do different thing. What they say is not what they do. After discussion is over, they ask my opinion. My reply is simple: "You actually apply black and white policy, black inside but white outside..."
Makassar, May 2009
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