[CNBC] Malaysia and Indonesia both have upcoming elections, and Islamic parties could play a central role in both.The two countries boast significant Muslim populations — Indonesia has the world's largest — and they have histories of pluralism and tolerance. But some political candidates are catering to Islamists in order to win over conservative voters, a move that could grant hard-liners greater influence in the future. If extremists are emboldened politically, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur risk endangering democratic norms as well as their strategic ties with the United States.
A growing belief that Muslims are "victims of economic and political injustice" has empowered Islamist entities lately, risk consultancy Eurasia Group said in a brief. Represented by names such as Indonesia's Islamic Defenders Front (FDI) and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), those factions advocate Sharia law, and seek to roll back protections for minorities.
Indonesia's vote — scheduled for 2019 — will likely see incumbent President Joko Widodo , or Jokowi, face off against former Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto for the second consecutive time. Anthony Nelson, director at consultancy Albright Stonebridge Group's East Asia and Pacific practice, explained, "Prabowo was defeated by Jokowi in 2014, so he has begun to lay the groundwork for expanding his coalition by reaching out to Islamist groups."
Subianto has not yet declared his candidacy, but has reportedly allied with the FDI. The group led 2016 Jakarta protests against Christian politician Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. Subianto, who fronts the Gerindra party, is trying to portray himself as more receptive to poorer Muslims and take advantage of Jokowi's perceived lack of religious credentials, said Vedi Hadiz, professor of Asian Studies at the University of Melbourne.
It's a similiar story in Malaysia, where an election must be called by August 2018. Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition — the United Malays National Organisation or UMNO — has been warming to PAS, a group that aims to increase the power of Sharia courts and impose Sharia-based punishments for some criminal offenses. The alliance claims to represent Malay Muslims and depict detractors as "anti-Malay, anti-Muslim or foreign puppets," according to Hadiz.