I

n a country where conspiracy theories are alive and well, pointing your finger to a clandestine operation — be it the universe, spy agencies or, well, the Jews — for the ills that have befallen you, is perhaps the easiest thing to do. But that is probably not a good PR strategy if you are a political party embroiled in a corruption scandal.

Political observers were astounded when the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) claimed that a “big conspiracy” was behind the arrest of its former chairman, Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, on graft charges.

The party’s members are convinced Luthfi is innocent and that the only explanation for the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) charging him with graft is the work of a “conspiracy”. Some party members alleged that it could be the work of its political enemies, but senior PKS politician Hidayat Nur Wahid went the furthest, suspecting that the Jews could be involved.

Hidayat said there were parties within the country and beyond who did not want his party to grow bigger for a number of reasons, including the fact that it had been consistently supporting the rights of the Palestinians under Israel’s oppression. “They could be the Zionists,” Hidayat told reporters at a press conference at the party’s headquarters on Friday.

Hidayat argued that there were many irregularities in the case against his colleague. Refusing to name names, he pointed out the fact that a politician from another party had not been detained, despite having been named a graft suspect. It is clear, however, that he was referring to former youth and sports minister Andi Mallarangeng, who remains free after having been named a suspect in the Hambalang graft case.

As the scandal broke, speculation also emerged that the PKS’ legal quagmire might be linked to Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam’s move to file a report on alleged graft in three ministries to the KPK last November. Dipo did not reveal details, but it was reported that the three ministries were the Agriculture Ministry, Defense Ministry and Trade Ministry.

The former People’s Consultative Council (MPR) chairman made it clear that he was not implying that the KPK had intervened, but that there was something fishy about the KPK’s move to charge and detain Luthfi. “We are in politics, we should disclose every allegation,” he said.

PKS executive Sohibul Iman said on Saturday that conspiracy was a normal term in politics. “As long as we don’t pinpoint someone, as long as we don’t accuse someone,” he said.

Despite the suspicions, the party has decided to leave Luthfi’s case to the KPK, though with a caveat. “Insya Allah [God Willing] we trust the KPK. But, they must be careful and not let ‘free riders’ manipulate [them],” he said.

Political analysts said that the PKS’ defensive attitude would not help the party restore its credibility. “The language of conspiracy used by Anis Matta and the PKS elites is not helping the party restore its image. They should understand that such an attitude gives the impression that the party’s elites are just looking for a scapegoat,” Burhanuddin Muhtadi, a political analyst from the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI), said during a discussion in Jakarta on Saturday.

“If you ask the PKS who is actually behind the conspiracy, they will be as confused as you are,” he said on Saturday, adding that the party was likely using the jargon to build up the morale of its members cadres.

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) called on the PKS to respond to the legal problem involving its members wisely. “The PKS members should act maturely in dealing with the case. Let it be. Look at the facts. If [Luthfi] is proven guilty, then accept it,” ICW coordinator Danang Widoyoko said.