MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MADRID — Muhammad Najib, the Indonesian Ambassador to Spain, has thrown his weight behind Muhammadiyah’s political strategy of “active neutrality” as the nation approaches the 2024 elections. He urges Muhammadiyah to play a pivotal role as a guardian of democracy, maintaining an impartial stance.
In a recent YouTube broadcast, “Muhammadiyah’s Shift from Quantity to Quality Orientation,” on Sunday (November 26), Najib underscored the importance of neutrality in playing the role of a nation’s figurehead. He emphasized the need to avoid aligning with any specific political faction or endorsing particular presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
“To be regarded as a nation’s figurehead, one must remain neutral, steering clear of affiliations with political forces and avoiding favoritism towards any specific presidential-vice presidential duo,” said Najib.
In the current political situation, Najib highlighted Muhammadiyah’s responsibility as a national figurehead to diffuse tensions without taking sides with any particular candidate. He stressed that if competition escalates beyond reason, Muhammadiyah should step in to de-escalate the situation and mediate conflicts.
“If the tensions are getting higher and out of control, Muhammadiyah needs to intervene to ease them. This movement’s role lies in calming down heated conflicts,” said Najib.
Najib also mentioned the crucial need to uphold the dignity of elections and political competitions, preventing any undermining of democratic values. He pinpointed the necessity for rigorous control and supervision over the rivalry between political parties, legislative candidates, and presidential-vice presidential candidates, considering it an integral part of the five-year democratic cycle.
“During this period, it’s crucial to control and manage the competition between political parties, legislative candidates, and presidential-vice presidential candidates. It’s an intrinsic aspect of our democratic journey,” said Najib.
Najib’s perspective underscored Muhammadiyah’s significance as a stabilizing and mediating force in navigating politically tense situations. He reiterated that Muhammadiyah’s involvement in nation-building must align with its core objectives: enhancing the welfare of the people and advancing the country without compromising integrity and neutrality.
