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66Islam, Democracy and Human Rights in Contemporary IndonesiaAs a young Muslim proponent, Natsir also held a position inMajlis al-Islam A%u2019la Indunisiya (MIAI). This organization was afederation of all Muslim socio-politico-religious organizations thatexisted at that time. It was a communication body for Muslimactivists, as well as a forum for discussing real problems faced byMuslims and all Indonesians. Decisions made by MIAI weresupposed to be implemented by the organization%u2019s members. Thediscussions conducted by MIAI were not confined to local matters,but often pertained to the problems of Muslims around the world.Natsir%u2019s full participation in the political arena started in1940 when he was elected as the head of the Bandung branchof Partai Islam Indonesia (PII - The Indonesian Islamic Party).Even though he had a close relationship with the oldergeneration of Sarekat Islam (SI - The Association of Islam), suchas Salim, Tjokroaminoto and A.M. Sangaji, he never became amember of this organization, which later became PSII (TheIndonesian Islamic Association Party), or even a member ofGerakan Penyadar (GP - The Movement of Conscience), whichwas headed by Salim himself and supported by youngproponents, such as Roem, Sardjan and Soedjono Hardjosudiro.At this time, Natsir was 32 years of age. He possibly thoughtthat it was high time to enter the political arena. He chose tojoin PII, a new party established by Dr. Sukiman Wirjosandjojoand other pioneers who had withdrawn from PSII. In fact, PIIgained support from Muhammadiyah leaders, such as Kiai MasMansur and Mohammad Rasjidi. Nevertheless, the presence ofPII had not done much for Islamic political movements inIndonesia. Two years after its establishment, in March 1942,this new party was banned as Japanese troops took overIndonesia from the Dutch colonial government.