MUHAMMADIYAH.ID, YOGYAKARTA – General Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir stated that Buya Syafi’i commits to his words and actions. Thus, all people, particularly politicians and religious figures, should emulate his attitude.

“He is not anti-power. He is not anti-regime, but he does not get engaged in a regime. Buya would like to present Islam, Muhammadiyah, and nationalism that nurture pluralism. In the context of statehood, we need to have views and orientation of a statesman who prioritizes interests of this nation over interests of groups or individuals,” declared Haedar in a discussion on ‘Mencari Negarawan’ (Finding a Statesman) conducted by Jaringan Intelektual Berkemajuan (JIB) on Saturday (30/5).

“Populism is essential, but it must be authentic. It should be proven by policies taking a side of people and driving people to be developed. Populism may not be partial and symbolic, and is aimed at pleasing the people but never changing their condition so that they are marginalized by hegemony of many political and economic authorities, and they suffer in every political contestation. Indeed, in the populism context, religion may not become an instrument of political interests so that the people are in perplexities, conflicts, and religious sentiments. Those issues are a responsibility of politicians, statesmen and religious forces,” asserted Haedar.

Furthermore, Haedar noticed that age does not cease Syafi’i Ma’arif to criticize the state if it neglects Pancasila.

“We expect that characteristics of a statesman can become our collective thoughts in the life of the nation. The future of Indonesia is on us. We have been extremely liberal. Who is strong is the winner so that who has political power determines this nation. However, do you think they are willing to listen to us? I think that we may not call critics as treason until they are proven as the treason. Indeed, those who speak the truth must also be authentic and may not represent certain interests and their own thoughts,” ended Haedar.