Islamists find another stick to beat Widodo with – communism

In an effort to unseat the presdient, Indonesian religious leaders are tapping into the bitter memories of an aborted coup in the hope it will drive voters to the polls, building on momentum from Jakarta’s gubernatorial election

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s administration has been accused of squeezing Islamic hardliners following a successful overthrow of Widodo’s protégé in Jakarta’s elections earlier this year. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:42am, 30 Sep 2017Updated: 11:42am, 30 Sep 2017

Every year at this time Indonesia renews its collective distain for communists, widely blamed for allegedly trying to tear the country apart in an aborted coup more than half a century ago. But this year is different.

As thousands of police stood guard outside government buildings and the parliament, Islamic conservatives seized on the annual rite to get back at the administration of President Joko Widodo, which for months have been squeezing hardliners following a successful overthrow of Widodo’s protégé in Jakarta’s elections earlier this year.

Outraged and emboldened, analysts claim, Islamists and their allies among Jakarta’s elite are betting this year the spectre of a resurgent red menace will have extra resonance as they work to defeat Widodo in elections 18 months away.

“It’s the Jakarta election play book all over again,” said Andrew Mantong, a researcher at the Centre for Strategic Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta. “These are contentious politics played out by Islamists and elites seeking power. They are trying to find what repertoire might produce a robust coalition.”