Religion, politics and class divisions in Indonesia

Abstract

It is not easy to tell how significant either group is in today’s politics. On the one hand, the expectation that democratization in 1998 would lead to a rapid increase in the Islamic vote – the Turkish scenario – failed to eventuate. It rose to nearly 40% in 1999 but then declined to less than 30% in 2009, and of that only half or less went to Islamist parties. Polls indicate that the collapse of religious parties continues today.2 On the other hand, transgressive politics are often more religious than formal ones. Indonesia saw a spate of Islamist terror attacks in the early years of democratization; intolerant preaching is normal in most mosques, and aggressive acts against religious minorities and non- Islamic cultural icons continues to grow. Conservative regulations against alcohol and sexual freedoms are formally in place in many districts and provinces around the country (though not always enforced).