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Holywings case shows political appeal of conservatism persists
Both Ahok and Holywings share commonalities. Their controversies revived emotive politics on the basis of religious values and a complex calculation to reframe figures as the people’s enemy.
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The Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) seals a Holywings outlet in Gunawarman, South Jakarta, among the 12 outlets that were shuttered by the local government, on June 28. (KOMPAS/Muhammad Isa Bustomi) (Kompas/Muhammad Isa Bustomo)
C
onservatism has become a recurring theme in Indonesian public discourse. A couple of days ago, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan revoked the business permits for 12 Holywings outlets following the “Muhammad-Maria” controversy.
This decision was not a political surprise. In recent years, there has been a growing invocation of conservatism through religious symbols, particularly those of Islam, which is constantly maintained to appeal to the Muslim community as the biggest portion of potential voters in any election.
In this sense, we must view the act of Governor Anies as not only a sign of a belated state response but also a worrying trend in the persistent rise of conservative politics at the heart of the nation. More alarmingly, the issue of revoking the business permits has been conflated with the religious mission and a sacred war against a demonic business.
Although it showed a reactionary response, the governor’s act is “reasonable”, since Indonesia has struggled to calm its conservative tendency for years. The Holywings case reminds the public of the blasphemy conviction of former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, which now is considered a crucial checkpoint on the road of conservative politics.
Both Ahok and Holywings share commonalities. Their controversies revived emotive politics on the basis of religious values and a complex calculation to reframe figures as the people’s enemy.
With these backdrops, thus, I propose we look at the conservative streak from two perspectives. First, to examine the quasi-tyrannical Blasphemy Law, and second, to connect the overblown elites’ perception of the 2024 election.
The Holywings case has stoked another moral panic, as well as invoking the “morality police” to engage in cancel culture. However, the situation has worsened since innumerable people, groups and associations have started to report the bar industry for religious blasphemy.
