There are competing definitions of who constitute the ulama. The group is easily identified by the endorsement of the state: It has authority to speak on Islamic matters because government leaders say so. But the government's backing may contradict how society identifies their religious elite. Society may accuse those working closely with the government as lackeys of the state. This chapter defines the term ulama, especially how it is understood in Indonesia and Malaysia, and what the dominant perceptions towards ulama functioning in state institutions are. The chapter shall also pay attention to how academics perceive official ulama co-optation in the two countries. It then moves to describe MUI's origins, functions, structure, and relations with regional branches. Then, a similar discussion on JKF-MKI will follow. The chapter will also examine the functions of JAKIM and IKIM because these federal institutions complement the JKF-MKI by acting as its public relations, administrative, and research arms. At the end of the chapter, I discuss the reasons why MUI and JKF-MKI are comparable cases, and why this comparison is important to understand the co-optation/capture dynamics of the official ulama in Indonesia and Malaysia.

In Indonesia, MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia or Ulama Council of Indonesia) functions as the country's national ulama institution. It hosts a commission that issues religious rulings (fatwas), which are intended to guides to the country's Muslims. Although MUI fatwas are not binding, groups have quoted them to justify their actions. End 2016, a movement called the National Movement to Safeguard MUI Fatwa (GNPF MUI), rallied Indonesian Muslims, particularly those living in Jakarta, demanded that Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (also known as Ahok) be arrested for insulting Islam during one of his campaign speeches. Ahok was running for a re-election as the capital's governor in February 2017. He lost the election when a second round was held in April that same year.

This book focuses on MUI even though there is another significant bureaucracy that looks into Indonesian religious affairs, the Religious Ministry.