ON 2 December 2016, Ahmad Zakarsih, a thirty-four year old school administrator and Bekasi resident (possessed of a Jakarta identity card and therefore the right to vote in the city's upcoming gubernatorial elections) left his house at 6:00am and headed for the capital some 28 kilometres to the west.
He was there to protest against Jakarta’s Governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (“Ahok”), who is running for re-election next week.
Many have claimed that Ahok insulted the Quran during a campaign stop. Indeed he is currently on trial for blasphemy (it's a controversial prosecution) even as he continues the hustings.
When asked why he participated in what was to be one of Indonesia’s largest-ever demonstrations, he replied quite simply: "I felt that I was answering a call of nature. To my mind, Ahok had shown disrespect to Islam.”
That's not to say that he's always been anti-Ahok: "I could well have voted for Ahok if he hadn't been involved in the case. In fact, I have no problem if Ahok isn’t imprisoned because if he truly is guilty, then Allah will punish him anyway."
As an alumnus of the Tebuireng pesantren – one of Indonesia's most celebrated residential religious schools (the late President Abdulrahman Wahid was a student) and thoroughly versed in Islamic theology and philosophy—Ahmad has the confidence of a man with an elite education however modest his means.
He also has the comic timing of a late night TV show host.
For example he describes Ciputat—in whose State Islamic University (UIN) he was also a student—as being like Las Vegas, replete with all manner of “terrible” temptations, something a visitor to the drab suburban Jakarta neighbourhood might find a little hard to comprehend.
Ahmad is Betawi – one of the original residents of the Jakarta region. The community’s most famous scions include the dangdut icon Roma Iroma, with his kitschy, Elvis-like look combined with staunchly conservative views.
However, over the decades, the Betawi have steadily been eased out of the centre of the vast twenty-eight million strong conurbation, selling their strategically-located homes and rice-fields to throngs of newly arrived Javanese, Chinese and Arab Indonesians.
It also has to be said that most of the Betawi were supporters of Fauzi Bowo, the Governor of Jakarta that Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”) defeated in 2012 on his way to winning the Indonesian Presidency in 2014.
Ahok was Jokowi’s running-mate and hence “inherited” the Governorship. Hardliners in the Betawi community have arguably never been reconciled to these newcomers.
Ahmad’s own family home in a corner of the now-booming, 2.6 million-strong Bekasi (Indonesia’s fourth largest city, the one almost no one has heard of), is all that's left of a small family farm replete with orchards and sawah.
As he explains: "There were eleven of us and my parents had to sell land to educate us all. Back in 1998 when I went to Tebuireng, my boarding and tuition fees were IDR60,000 per month.”
After completing his degree, Ahmad worked in Siak on the island of Sumatra as a religious teacher for four years, marrying in his last year (it was an arranged match – he's at pains to stress that he never dated his wife), after which he returned home to Bekasi.
Both he and his wife work. They have a one-year old boy and are planning for more children.
Every evening, he gives free Quran classes to local kids, which he enjoys immensely. He’s known there as “Pak Ustad” (“Mr Religious Teacher”).
They also play the hadroh – devotional music with drums and stringed instruments.
Despite the vast amounts of money being poured into Bekasi's infrastructure – from toll roads to LRT's – Ahmad is an unflinching critic of the current administration.
"Things are much tougher now than ever before. There's more '”outsourcing” (contract employment) and all these Government cards for health and education are very difficult to apply for. Islam has also fallen badly behind."
Much has been said about what motivates those who are ranged against Ahok. It has often been portrayed as a straightforward contest between fundamentalism and secularism, prejudice and pluralism, “black and “white” or “evil” and “good” as it were.
Talking to Ahmad however, with his cryptic language studded with Koranic phrases one gets a sense that – like all else in Indonesia—that there is more than meets the eye.
For a start, many of the more conservative Muslim groups who enjoyed privileged access and influence during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono years feel excluded by the current centrist ethos.
As we part, I ask Ahmad how he'll be voting.
He gives a half-smile and explains that he'll be conducting a special prayer to seek guidance – the 'sholat istikharah'.
"Who knows," he adds, "maybe I'll be moved to vote for Ahok?"
Karim Raslan
Thu Feb 09 2017
One of Ahmad Zakarsihs students playing the hadroh devotional music with drums and stringed instruments. - Karim Raslan Photo
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.