Why do their leadership styles bring them into dispute?
SYAFI’I ANWAR: Because our culture is primordial. We are often incapable of solving personal differences in rational ways. This actually is the common problem facing politicians in developing countries. The matter is that they are not talking about substantial issues. ULIL: Actually establishing unity is easier at the level of the community than at the level of leadership. SYAFI’I ANWAR: That’s right. As I’ve said, from observing the political culture, the Indonesian community is actually moderate, tolerant, and appreciative as long as the leader is a good leader. ULIL: What is the type of political culture among our leaders that they can’t meet up? SYAFI’I ANWAR: It is competition which is empty in terms of any clear ideology, vision and mission of the party. The matter of vision and mission of these Islamic parties is a problem and is not clear. ULIL: A disease in our political culture is the clash among the leaders which then influences the base. Why is this so? SYAFI’I ANWAR: I agr
