Musjawarah and musfakat: Disccusion & Agreement in Indonesia

Musjawarah and musfakat are Arabic words meaning discussion and agreement. They represent an ancient Javanese style of political government. The signature of musjawarah and musfakat are lengthy debate followed by unanimous agreement.

Musjawarah and musfakat are employed in local villages throughout Indonesia to resolve local problems and in the MPR (Majellis Permusyawaratan Rakyat, or Peoples Assembly).

Debates go on at a snails pace in order to achieve total agreement on a compromise. Indonesians do not like the western democratic idea of majority rule and think a majority rule compromises the views of the minority. Better to find a solution that everyone can agree on. In village councils debates go on until participants are exhausted. Everyone is expected to state their case and this is the foundation of musjawarah and musfakat.

Debates in the MPR generally find a resolution in line with the views of the chief executive.