internal dynamics of the prosperous justice party and jamaah tarbiyah 63
they learnt more about the nature of democratic competition, especially
the idea of plurality – that to win a competition does not only mean to
become a majority, but to measure any achievement towards a certain
benchmark – they started to utilise political mobilisation as a means of
political transaction.
This change, however, did not take place for the pks network as a
whole, but rather more among its political elites. Not all pks members
agreed with this interpretation of politics, and many of them firmly believe
that politics is just a means for dakwah, and political achievements are
merely by-products of dakwah achievements. Thus, the change marks
polarisations of perceptions and behaviours among jt-pks members,
between politically oriented and dakwah oriented factions.
The first event at which the jt was involved in a serious political
mobilisation was the 1999 election. At this time – perhaps influenced
by the idea of gradual Islamisation – they understood politics as a
natural social process, in which elections are merely an arena for political
parties to test their popularity and reputation in society. Therefore,
they did not prepare a systematic campaign ahead of the elections,
but rather intensified their regular activities: coordination meetings,
religious sermons, as well as personal rituals such as night prayers. A
statement (Bayan) issued by the party’s central board ten months ahead
of the election day informs us about what it deemed important. Firstly,
jt members should dedicate their activities to Allah, not to the party.
Secondly, the party’s ultimate mission is to enact God’s laws on earth,
political activities through the party are merely a means to an end. Thirdly,
maintaining harmony and preventing prejudices, especially with other
Muslims, are more important than political achievements. Fourthly,
elections are not a trial for the party but an arena for the jt to exercise its
ability in implementing religious and political skills. Fifthly, minimising
political and social costs is more important than achievements.⁷³
Things were different during the 2004 election, however. After the
Justice Party failed to pass the 2.5 per cent electoral threshold, the jt
founded the Prosperous Justice Party with a new understanding about
politics and political mobilisations. There were at least three changes:
firstly, in terms of organisation, they established a more systematic
organisational structure. During the previous period, the party had not
established an institutionalised organisational structure – as it had barely
carrying aid, but were not owned by the pks; or using vehicles with pks flags.
These activities helped to fabricate a public image of a party that cares for the
suffering of the people.
Justice Party Central Board Official Release, 22 August 1998.