Islamist Democrats? The Role of the Shura Council and The Implementation of Party Institutionalization in The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in Indonesia

Abstract

After the Reformation in 1998, Indonesia’s transition to democracy took place rapidly after 32 years of authoritarian rule. This period subsequently opened significant space for the development of prodemocracy movements, including Islamist movements. One notable example is the Prosperous Justice Party (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, PKS), which has demonstrated a capacity for party institutionalisation aligned with the democratic development in Indonesia’s evolving political landscape. This article explores how the PKS integrates Islamist concepts, particularly shura (consultation), into its internal decision-making processes. It seeks to ascertain whether the party’s institutionalisation effectively supports internal governance and parliamentary decision-making, focusing on the role of the party’s Shura Council (Majelis Syura). This article employs a political institutional analysis approach to assess the party’s organisational capacity in managing both internal affairs and national policy decisions, highlighting how the presence of the Shura Council reflects the party’s democratic tendencies. The study employs a qualitative approach, acquiring data from official party materials, documentation, and in-depth interviews with key persons, including members of the Shura Council and parliaments. The study revealed several findings: Firstly, the maintenance of strict party rules is indicative of the efficacy of party institutionalisation. Secondly, the PKS manifests democratic tendencies in both the policy-making process and the themes it champions. Thirdly, these features indicate the endurance of Islamist parties in upholding democratic principles both inside and outside party in Indonesia during the Reformation era.