Moderate Islamic fundamentalism in Indonesia : a study of political thinking and behaviour of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), 1998-2005

Abstract

The emergence of Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (Prosperous Justice Party, PKS), a new Islamic party established at the beginning of the Reformasi era, has provoked a critical response from observers. There is increasing debate among observers about the true nature and aims of PKS. As we shall see, some of this debate rests on a superficial understanding of the party and stereotypical views of its political activities. On the one hand, there are those who regard this party as a promising development in Indonesian politics, citing its commitment to clean government, democracy, civil society, social welfare, and peaceful change. On the other hand, there are those who consider PKS to have a hidden agenda that has the potential to endanger democratic life and Indonesia's status as a plural country. Some in this second group liken PKS to "hardline" Islamic groups, and one writer has even claimed it was a greater danger than Jamaah Islamiyah. Despite this debate, much of the literature on PKS only illuminates certain aspects of the party and there is a need for more thorough research in understanding its real characteristics.