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80Islam, Democracy and Human Rights in Contemporary Indonesiathat which had occurred in Karachi, Pakistan or at theMuktamar al-%u2018Alam al-Islami (MAI - Muslim World Congress)in Cyprus, influenced the attitudes of Muslim countries, whichhad previously been inclined to be negative about Indonesia%u2019sposition in East Timor.Natsir%u2019s involvement in the Group of Concern, thenpopularly named the Petition of 50, which aimed to put forwardcorrections of Soeharto%u2019s maneuver in erecting democracy andconstitutionalism, hampered his activities, both inside andoutside the country. Since the petition was proposed toparliament in 1980, the Soeharto government has restricted thepolitical rights of its signatories, including the freedom to travelabroad. This means Natsir was unable to travel to Muslimcountries and participate in Islamic international assemblies, inwhich he held a number of positions. Up to his death, he wasstill the Vice-President of MAI based in Pakistan and a memberof Majlis Ta%u2019sisi Rabiah al-%u2018Alam al-Islami located in SaudiArabia. He also held a leadership position in some regionalMuslim organizations.Although his room for movement was narrowed, Natsir%u2019sleadership was still influential until his life ended. His homeand office were never empty of guests, from worldwide, Muslimand non-Muslim organizations. He was asked for his opinionand advice in connection with the problems of Afghanistan,Cyprus, the Camp David negotiations, the autonomy ofPalestine, the expulsion of Muslim ethnics in Burma, and theBosnia crisis. Some non-Muslim governments, such as theJapanese, even informally asked for Natsir%u2019s advice in handlinginternational political issues.This is Natsir, who, throughout his life, proved himself to