by Mardhatillah
General elections, which are known as elections in Western democracies, are one of the implementations of popular sovereignty, so that whatever the reason, in order for the rights of the people to be channelled, elections must be held. The hustle and bustle of holding elections in Indonesia, whether regional head elections, legislative elections or presidential and vice presidential elections, are carried out in order to fulfil the sovereignty of the people, which is a state practice to fill public positions.
Talking about mechanisms and methods in choosing leaders to lead the people and the nation, Indonesia as a country that upholds the sovereignty of the people as stated in the constitution, stipulates that general elections are a way in order to choose candidates for leaders.
This is in line with Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia: “The President and Vice President shall hold office for five years, after which they may be re-elected to the same office for one term only”. The Constitution does not explicitly stipulate that elections are the procedure or method for the change of power. However, this has been regulated in Law No. 7/2017 on General Elections.
Speaking of elections, a seasonal problem that always arises when it is time for elections is that the condition or atmosphere of the nation is filled with potential dangers. Upheaval in the struggle for power often justifies all means. This includes political elites with Islamic backgrounds, whereas in Islamic law, real leaders must adhere to the Qur’an and Hadith, including maintaining democratic conditions to remain conducive. Collusion, Corruption, and Nepotism have also become a culture that is rife in the run-up to elections.
When existing Islamic values regress, that is where the role of HMI cadres is to raise them again. By using intellectuality as a sword to fight against things that deviate from what is taught by Islam, HMI cadres will again take the banner of power using Islamic laws. This happens because HMI is an association that continues to produce generations that can make changes for this nation.
Seeing the apprehensive condition of the nation in democracy, HMI cadres are one of the important actors in civilisation change. Therefore, there is no reason for HMI cadres not to take part in a better civilisation change for this country. Basically, HMI cadres are trained to maintain the existence of three fundamental values. First, HMI cadres are required to continue to reflect Islamic values wherever they are, even in the political sphere. Second, HMI cadres are assigned to carry out their mandate as a student. HMI cadres are required to be people who have superior intellectuals in order to realise the Tri Dharma of Higher Education and benefit their environment. And the most important thing is to realise the goal of HMI itself “The development of academic people, creators, servants, who are Islamic and responsible for the realisation of a just and prosperous society that is blessed by Allah SWT”.
One of the student movements that has a significant share, even cannot be underestimated, is the Islamic Student Association. As one of the Islamic student movement groups, HMI has carried out its social movement as social and moral control. It is the largest extra-university organisation in Indonesia and has a potential mass that can be mobilised at any time for political pressure or support (Mas’eod and MacAndrews, ed, 1981: 56; Saleh, 1996: 4). This has been done by HMI, as an organisation that is able to mobilise its cadres to match revolutionary organisations such as those of the PKI.
As is known, the struggle for the establishment of democracy for HMI cannot be separated from two commitments, namely Islamic and Indonesian (Sitompul, 2008:13). Both commitments are the result of HMI thinking that cannot be separated from the socio-religious reality in Indonesia. As stated by Lafran Pane, the accommodative attitude of HMI is the nature of the organisation, because according to him, HMI is nationalist first, then Islamic (Youth Forum, 1983). HMI grows in a pluralist and plural society.
HMI cadres are one of the important elements in Indonesian society. HMI as an independent organisation needs to be underlined that it is not a political organisation, but both are not forbidden. The political realm is included in civilisation that must be supported by HMI cadres. With a conducive political climate (in accordance with Islamic law), it is not impossible to realise an advanced Indonesia in 2024 and beyond.
The role of HMI as a student organisation that is mature enough to carry out regeneration is increasingly awaited. Cadre should really produce agents of change who have the five qualities of a person of mind. According to Agussalim Sitompul, cadres who possess the five qualities of the person of mind will become ideal cadres, namely professional intellectual Muslims (Agussalim Sitompul, 2005: 14).
Politics for HMI is a must, because to realise the ideals and goals of HMI must be done politically. This is also confirmed by the founder of HMI, Lafran Pane, that politics will not be separated from HMI, because it has been the original character of HMI since its birth. However, this does not mean that HMI becomes a political organisation, because HMI was born as a student and youth organisation (ormas), which makes Islamic values as its theological foundation, campus as a vehicle for its activities, and Islamic students as its members.
Campus background and student idealism are factors that cause HMI to always actively participate in responding to problems faced by the people and the nation, so it is natural that HMI continues to play its political role in the nation’s arena. In addition, another argument was put forward by Rusli Karim in his writing; “Although HMI is not a political organisation, it is sensitive to political issues. Sometimes because of its high involvement in political activities, it is even accused of being a pressure group” (Rusli Karim, 2006: 49).
In realising the conditions of superior democratic quality, HMI cadres must prepare themselves as early as possible to bring changes to the unfavourable political climate. After HMI cadres have completed their studies, it is possible for HMI cadres to enter the realm of general elections by utilising the open proportional system that is currently in place, as well as internalising Universal Islamic values in constitutional regulations in order to eliminate KKN as one of the root causes of problems in general elections in Indonesia.
