1 A Study of the Internal Dynamics of the
Prosperous Justice Party and Jamaah TarbiyahAhmad-Norma Permata
1 Introduction
This research explores the internal dynamics of the Prosperous Justice¹
Party or Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (pks) and its mass organisational root
and supporter, the Jamaah Tarbiyah (jt).² Since a political organisation
is never a unitary actor, there are always internal plurality, differences,
tensions and even conflicts. This study uncovers the internal dynamics
inside the two organisations, the tensions and dividing issues between
the two, as well as the key figures in each group.
jt is a unique organisation in contemporary Indonesian politics. At
its core, it is an Indonesian branch of the Egyptian Muslim Brothers
(Ikhwanul Muslimin), founded in 1983 by a group of graduates who
studied in the Middle East. However, it is joined by networks of activists
from different organisations, ranging from domestic political and social
organisations – such as ddii,³ Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama (nu),
It is worthy of note that the word ‘justice’ has been used ubiquitously among the
Muslim Brothers’ network across the globe (political party and social movement):
e.g. ‘Justice and Development’ is used at the same time in Turkey, Libya, Morocco,
Syria and Algeria, while the Egyptian Brotherhood party is called the ‘Justice and
Freedom Party’. A closer analysis reveals that at least for pks ‘justice’ does not
refer to the idea of ‘fair treatment’, but rather to ‘political retaliations’. Members of
the pks perceive themselves as victims of repression and persecution both by
Western colonial rulers and secular national governments. And now the time has
come for them to fight back, to do what others have done to them, to do justice.
Jamaah Tarbiyah literally means ‘Community of Education’. In practical terms,
‘education’ means training and indoctrination, i.e. of a comprehensive Islamic
way of life.
Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia (or Indonesian Islamic Propagation Council)
was founded in 1967 by Mohammad Natsir and several other ex-Masyumi
politicians after they were thwarted by the Suharto regime in their bid to return
to politics. It received large funds from Middle Eastern countries, especially
Saudi Arabia.