A Test To Jokowi’s Legacy

“UNIVERSITY students are demonstrating. Rectors and deans of major universities across Indonesia are voicing their displeasure. People are openly questioning his sincerity and integrity.
This was mentioned by the former journalist, Tan Sri Johan Jaffar in his column in The Star on February 10th, 2024. In the write-up, he says many believe that Jokowi is turning back the clock to the era of corruption, collusion, and nepotism of Suharto’s Orde.

What is happening to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)? It is unthinkable that a president whose approval rating is still hovering around 70% is suddenly facing such a conundrum of a trust deficit. There is even a move to impeach him.
Johan says Jokowi is undoubtedly one of the most popular presidents in recent memory. He is seen as a hardworking, ordinary bloke who works his charm with his smile, handshakes, and simple words.

He does not have the rhetorical skill of Sukarno, the first president, or the vision of BJ Habibie, the third president. But he excels by portraying an image of a man whom the people can trust.

Johan describes Jokowi as simple, unpretentious, and likable. His achievements are not stellar, but you can’t fault the people for believing that Jokowi is a man who wants to change the destiny of his nation by doing things his way – by engaging, listening, and reaching out to his people.

The write-up continues… Good public relations alone does not change a nation. There has been criticism of the management of the economy, the wellbeing of his people, his intolerance towards dissenting views, how he handles human rights issues, and the worry that corruption is worsening.

His mega projects, namely the new capital Nusantara and his grandiose but failed Food Estate project, have been questioned.

But then, not all leaders are perfect. People can forgive and forget. Leaders have to make decisions – good or bad – some with disastrous consequences.
He has another reason to be adored. He exemplifies what a First Family ought to be. His wife shows no signs of opulence or poshness, and even flies economy whenever she has the chance. His children are never seen misusing their father’s position – they conduct their businesses just like any other Indonesian youth.

But then, things changed. Power must be intoxicating, even for Jokowi. There was a move to extend his term as President. The post-Reformasi Constitution allows only two terms for a president. There were also unhealthy rumors about his wife’s ambition to see the Jokowi legacy continue.

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son, won the post of Mayor of Solo without much difficulty. His son-in-law, Muhammad Bobby Ariff Nasution, is currently the Mayor of Medan.

Kaesang Pangarep, another of his sons, became the leader of Parti Solidaritas Indonesia (PSI) just two days after joining the party. Little wonder that the accusation of “Dinasti Jokowi” (Jokowi’s Dynasty) is gaining traction.

Gibran is hardly 36 years old, and according to the Constitution, is not qualified to be a candidate for president or deputy president. In an unprecedented move, the highest court in the land, the Constitutional Court, lowered the age limit to allow him to be the running mate of Prabowo Subianto.

The repercussions were swift. A council of eminent persons was set up, and they found that there was an ethical breach pertaining to the decision.

The President of the Court, Anwar Usman, was removed from his post. For the record, Anwar is Jokowi’s brother-in-law.

Even today, the aftermath of that decision is still being debated. The question of ethics has been strongly raised by one of the presidential candidates, the hugely popular Anies Baswedan.
In fact, a few days ago, the Honorary Council of Election Organisers (DKPP) found the chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU), Hasyim Asyari, and six other officers to have violated ethics in accepting Gibran’s registration as a candidate.

Jokowi was backed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) since his years as Mayor of Solo. He was supported by PDI-P in his bid to become the Governor of Jakarta and later President of Indonesia.

One can imagine the angst of Megawati Sukarnoputri, its leader, when Jokowi is not supporting PDI-P’s candidates – Ganjar Pranowo and his running mate, Mahfud MD. Blood is thicker than politics.

But none of that could have affected Jokowi badly had he been seen as neutral in this election. He has time and time again reiterated his neutrality. But of late, he shocked the people by arguing that he can campaign.

Most constitutional experts argued otherwise. He was lambasted for appearing with Prabowo on many occasions, perhaps to send a message that he supports the former military man.

He was also giving out bansos (social assistance) in political gatherings involving the Prabowo-Gibran team.

Jokowi must avoid at all costs the perception that he is using the state apparatus to favor Prabowo-Gibran.

And he must not allow the election to be one of the dirtiest, as argued by some political pundits and academics.

D-Day is Feb 14. Jokowi is being watched and scrutinized to show the way how a free and fair election should be conducted in the third-largest democracy in the world.