Bung Karno and the Bintang Muhammadiyah : a political affair

The Bintang Muhammadiyah affair was a political affair rather than an affair of the heart. The behaviour of both Muhammadiyah and Sukarno in 1965-6 was governed primarily by the logic of their respective political situations. That logic induced the Muhammadiyah leaders to woo Sukarno in 1965 with as much ceremony and enthusiasm as they could muster, and induced Sukarno to requite the Muhammadiyah's affections, albeit on his terms. There was a difference, however, in the nature of the political logic driving the parties to their nuptials.