West Sumatra is one of the provinces in Indonesia with the largest Muslim population, approximately 97.6% of its inhabitants embrace Islam. Additionally, the majority of the population is of Minangkabau ethnicity, who uphold the philosophy of Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak basandi Kitabullah. This can be loosely translated as "customs based on Islamic law, and Islamic law based on the Quran" (al-Kitab). The position of Islam as the predominant religion in West Sumatra was further strengthened with the issuance of Law No. 17 of 2022, which emphasizes the philosophical and cultural values of the West Sumatran people, rooted in Minangkabau traditions and Islamic teachings. As a result, Minangkabau customs and Islam have become an inseparable part of the daily lives of the people in West Sumatra

In the political context, the Islamic narrative is an important element influencing people's attitudes and preferences when choosing leaders in elections for public office. In this case, some competing politicians use the Islamic narrative as a tool to attract voters' attention. It is not uncommon for them to present themselves in public as pious and obedient leaders. Furthermore, they usually strive to obtain public sympathy by nestling them behind the support they can find among religious leaders or preachers.

However, something interesting occurred during the regional head election in 2024. The religious narrative, which politicians relied on, did not have a significant impact in attracting voters' support. This contrasts sharply with previous regional head elections at which religious narratives and religious leaders’ support have been important factors when determining a voter’s preference.

The Face of Islam and the Politicization of Religion in West Sumatra

During the democratic reform period of Indonesia following Soeharto's authoritarian dictatorship, conservative Islam has spread rapidly in West Sumatra as well as throughout the nation. The pattern of  conservative Islamic movement views Islamic teachings in a strict manner through traditional religious doctrine, rejecting both the progressive interpretations of religion and modernity. This movement has had a significant impact on the religious, social, and political dynamics in West Sumatra. One of the major effects of this movement is the implementation of Shariah-based regional regulations (Perda Shariah) in various aspects of life in the province

The increasingly entrenched presence of conservative Islam in West Sumatra often leads to intolerance and discriminatory actions, which have been widely criticized by various parties, especially the central government. Among these discriminatory actions are the persecution of non-Muslim places of worship, the mandatory hijab rule for students in public schools, and several other instances of intolerance. Additionally, this conservative and intolerant face of Islam is evident in their response to the blasphemy case involving Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as Ahok. During the Aksi Bela Islam demonstration in Jakarta, dozens of people from West Sumatra traveled to Jakarta to demand punishment for the blasphemy allegedly committed by Ahok. The demonstration was not only supported by civil society but was also led by the chairman of the West Sumatra Ulema Council (MUI), Gusrizal Gazahar.

The Aksi Bela Islam demonstration in Jakarta had a significant impact on the development of the conservative Islamic movement in West Sumatra. The actors involved in this movement are actively engaged in responding to various religious, social, and political issues within the community. Following the demonstration, many new religious authorities emerged in West Sumatra, such as Ustaz Zulkifli Muhammad Ali (UZMA), Ustaz Jel Fathullah, Ustaz Zulkarnain Batu Bara, and several other notable Islamic figures. These religious leaders have since become influential in the political landscape of West Sumatra. Some have participated in general election contests, while others have supported specific candidates whom they view as pious leaders who care about Islam.

As a result, the politicization of religion in West Sumatra's politics has become difficult to avoid. The practice of religious politicization was especially evident during the 2019 presidential election and the 2020 regional head elections. The Chairman of the West Sumatra MUI, Buya Gusrizal Gazahar, urged the public not to vote for candidates promoted by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) because it opposed religious-based regional regulations in several regions. Meanwhile, the chairman of the National Movement to Guard MUI Fatwa (GNPF MUI) in West Sumatra, Ustaz Jel Fathullah, gave his full support to Prabowo. During Prabowo's grand campaign in West Sumatra, Ustaz Jel Fathullah led the prayer for Prabowo's victory.

Consequently, Prabowo received an overwhelming 86.67% of the vote in West Sumatra. This victory was largely influenced by the religious narrative repeatedly conveyed by religious figures supporting Prabowo, who saw him and his running mate Sandiaga as leaders capable of advocating for the rights of Muslims. In contrast, Jokowi confronted negative Muslim perceptions because observers believed he shielded Ahok from facing legal penalties. Observers acknowledged the massive electoral triumph of Prabowo in Muslim-dominated regions as proof of the intense political divide based on religious identity which prevailed then.

Based on Prabowo's significant victory in West Sumatra, which was largely attributed to the support of religious figures, candidates in the 2020 regional head elections in West Sumatra adopted similar strategies to achieve their political goals. One of the key religious figures influencing the political dynamics in West Sumatra at that time was Ustaz Abdul Somad. Although he is from Riau province, his popularity in West Sumatra is substantial. According to a survey by the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) Denny JA, the views and messages conveyed by Ustaz Abdul Somad (UAS) were followed by 30.2% of respondents, the highest percentage compared to other religious scholars.

During the 2020 regional head elections candidates involved religious elites to support their campaign work. Erman Safar who secured election as the Bukittinggi mayor built his support by partnering with Ustaz Abdul Somad in addition to other important religious leaders of West Sumatra who hold strong connections to the Minangkabau community. At the gubernatorial level, Mahyeldi Ansharullah and Joinaldy positioned themselves as religious leaders. Mahyeldi, in particular, despite not having a strong formal religious background due to not graduating from an Islamic educational institution, is often referred to as "Buya" by the public, a title of respect for religious figures in West Sumatra.

Regional Head Election 2024 in West Sumatra

The political dynamics in West Sumatra during the regional head elections showed significant changes compared to the political contestation five years earlier. Religious narratives and the involvement of religious leaders in endorsing certain candidates were no longer the only key elements in campaign activities. Instead, candidates enhanced their campaigns by organizing entertainment events or concerts featuring Minang pop artists. Additionally, the political candidates recruited social media influencers both at the regional and national level to boost their campaign visibility.

However, some candidates also tried to gain support from religious figures to boost their electability in the contest. Reflecting on previous elections, some sought the endorsement of Ustaz Abdul Somad, who was seen as close to the Minangkabau community. However, their efforts to involve UAS in campaign activities in West Sumatra were hindered by the outcome of the Regional Coordination Meeting of the Indonesian Ulema Council of West Sumatra (Rakorda MUI West Sumatra). The Chairman of West Sumatra MUI, Buya Gusrizal Gazahar, appealed to preachers not to engage in campaign activities in places of worship or become involved in practical politics. Additionally, he urged preachers from outside West Sumatra not to interfere in the region's political affairs. As a result, several of UAS's scheduled religious lectures in West Sumatra were canceled by local authorities, as his presence was perceived to have strong political motives in support of certain candidates. This sparked a major debate in West Sumatra over whether clerics should be involved in supporting political candidates.

Despite the obstacles preventing UAS from visiting West Sumatra, candidates who recognized the importance of his support attempted to meet with him at his residence in Riau and posted their meetings on social media. Additionally, UAS's official team issued a formal letter listing the candidates he supported in the West Sumatra Pilkada contest.

However, almost all candidates supported by UAS in the West Sumatra regional elections did not win. Even incumbent candidates, such as Erman Safar, who was very close to UAS, lost in Bukittinggi City. Similarly, gubernatorial candidate Epyardi Asda, who deliberately visited UAS in Riau to seek his support, also lost to his opponent, Mahyeldi Ansharullah. The West Sumatra regional election results demonstrate religious endorsements and public discourses related to religion did not impact the electability of candidates. This indicates that the people of West Sumatra are no longer swayed by religious narratives or the image of pious leaders that candidates for public office have traditionally used to attract voters' attention.

There are several factors that have contributed to the fading of identity politics and religious narratives in the 2024 West Sumatra elections.

First, the people of West Sumatra now prioritize the track record of candidates. This is evident in the defeat of Erman Safar in Bukittinggi and Epyardi Asda in the gubernatorial election. Erman Safar was once embroiled in a case involving the politicization of Baznas (National Amil Zakat Agency), when a photo of him appeared on rice packages distributed to the community. This sparked strong criticism from various parties, including the Chairman of the West Sumatra MUI, who urged the public not to give zakat to Baznas Bukittinggi until the issue was resolved. This controversy significantly impacted public trust in Erman Safar and reduced his electability in the regional head election contest.

Second, ethics and politeness remain important factors in influencing voter attitudes. This is reflected in the defeat of Epyardi Asda. Despite his efforts to gain support from several religious figures, including UAS, he was undermined by a digital footprint that tarnished his image as a leader. A few months before the Pilkada contest, he was filmed using profanity and losing his temper in public. The video spread on social media and drew widespread criticism, which indirectly portrayed Epyardi Asda as an emotional and unfriendly leader to the community.

Third, the influence of social media together with public figures known as influencers and artists currently represents an essential element that determines candidate election success. Political candidates gain substantial popularity increases through artist participation in their campaigns.

Overall, the result of West Sumatra’s Head Election demonstrates that the elections in West Sumatra show significant differences from previous contestations. Previous electoral contests showed that religious narratives combined with religious leader endorsement demonstrated strong influence on the final voting results. However, in the 2024 elections, recent election indicators show a reversed trend for this pattern.  People are no longer swayed by campaigns that involve the politicization of religion, nor are they influenced by the endorsements of religious leaders for specific candidates. Instead, rationality drives the leadership selection process as voters consider qualifications and past experiences of potential candidates. Support from religious elites alongside Islamic-based messaging has become less relevant in the eyes of voters.