Zulhas's plan to lead PAN for the third time increasingly abandons reform characteristics

The voters in PAN are very rational and objective so it is very natural for them to support Zulkifli Hasan again.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

A number of Amanat Nasional Party (PAN) cadres congratulate Zulkifli Hasan on being re-elected as the Chairman of PAN for the 2020-2025 term, in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Tuesday (11/2/2020).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Zulkifli Hasan's plan to return to lead the National Mandate Party (PAN) for the third period, namely 2025-2030, is considered to show political party They are increasingly pragmatic and want to always stick to power. With the desire to extend Zulkifli's leadership, PAN is increasingly not showing itself as a party with reform characteristics. In fact, PAN is a party that was born in the reform era and has a critical attitude towards the authorities.

Senior researcher at the Political Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Firman Noor, said there is a problem within PAN during the leadership era of Zulkifli, especially during his second term in office from 2020-2025. After Zulkifli ousted Amien Rais and his closest associates, PAN no longer criticizes those in power and instead, has become more comfortable in the circle of the Joko Widodo regime.

"I say there is a split personality. This is the new PAN which unfortunately is not getting more reform, but instead moving away from reform. "This means, it can be said that this PAN is no longer in accordance with the spirit of its initial founding," said Firman, Friday (10/5/2024).

Also read: 2025 PAN Congress, Only One Agenda: Zulkifli Hasan Becomes General Chair

According to Firman, with the dismissal of Amien Rais, the political position of the National Mandate Party (PAN) has changed, and PAN has been getting closer to the government. Prior to this, PAN had a political orientation or thoughts from Amien Rais that had colored the direction and political policies of the party. This initial orientation kept PAN away from the government or made it an opposition party.

I say there is a split personality. This is the new PAN which unfortunately is not getting more reform, but instead moving away from reform.

KOMPAS/INGKI RINALDI

Noor said

"But, in fact, Amien Rais himself also stumbled in this party. I believe that in the second period of Jokowi's era, PAN has been far from being critical of power. It's as if power is completely flawless. Even if we look at PAN's track record in the Jokowi era, it is the most obedient party. And even Jokowi himself admitted it," said Firman.

Also read: Ahead of the Regional Election, Zulkifli Brings National Coordination Meeting Participants to the Palace

Amien Rais served as the Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) from 1998-2005. After stepping down as chairman, Amien still held an important position in PAN. He once served two terms as Chairman of the PAN Advisory Board and most recently served as Chairman of the PAN Honor Council for the 2015-2020 period.

Even in every party congress, the leadership relay from Amien to Soetrisno Bachir (2005-2010) continued to Hatta Rajasa (2010-2015), until the first period of Zulkifli Hasan's leadership (2015-2020) ran in accordance with Amien Rais's political will.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

The 5th National Mandate Party Congress was officially opened in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Monday (10/2/2020). Four cadres registered as candidates for the PAN chairman position; they are Drajad Wibowo, Asman Abnur, Zulkifli Hasan, and Mulfachri Harahap.

However, during the election for the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) for 2020-2025 at the fifth PAN Congress in mid-February 2020, there was a rift within the party. As is known, Amien Rais supported Mulfachri Harahap to become the chairman. However, in the election, Mulfachri lost to the incumbent, Zulkifli Hasan.

Recently, Zulkifli also has the potential to re-occupy the position of Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) for the third time period. On Thursday (5/9/2025) night, a total of 38 Regional Leadership Councils of PAN requested Zulkifli Hasan to continue his leadership as the Chairman of PAN for the period of 2025-2030.

Also read: ”History Repeats itself” and Efforts to Prevent Indonesia from Returning to Zero Point of Democracy...

Support for Zulkifli was given during the opening of the Technical Guidance and National Coordination Meeting of PAN for the 2024 Regional Elections at the JS Luwansa Hotel in Jakarta.

KOMPAS/ANTONIUS PONCO ANGGORO

The atmosphere during the vote counting for the chairperson election of the National Mandate Party (PAN) for the 2020-2025 period at the 5th PAN Congress in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Tuesday (11/2/2020).

Regarding this matter, according to Firman, the PAN cadres have felt that under Zulkifli's leadership, the party's target has been achieved - obtaining power. Moreover, the presidential candidate supported by PAN, Prabowo Subianto, has won the 2024 Presidential Election.

Also read: In front of Prabowo, Zulhas emphasizes that PAN and Gerindra will face the regional elections

Therefore, when the party's general chairman is able to meet such a target, they are highly respected. However, this represents a significant reduction in the values ​​of reform.

"The target could already be met by someone like Zulkifli, which is considered a great achievement. Especially since he then succeeded in bringing Prabowo to become president through means that violated ethics, the constitution, and nepotism. So, they don't care about things like that. Moral values are no longer used as a standard. Therefore, the standard of success and achievement is only about being in power," said Firman.

Cadre solidarity

Separately, the Chairman of the PAN Expert Council Dradjad Wibowo stated that during his leadership of the party, Zulkifli had proven to strengthen the solidarity of the cadres in facing the 2024 Election. After what happened post-PAN 2020 congress, the party is said to be abandoned by its voters.

KOMPAS/DIMAS WARADITYA NUGRAHA

Chairman of the National Mandate Party Expert Council who is also an Economist for Sustainable Development Indonesia (SDI), Dradjad Wibowo, in Jakarta Thursday (22/2/2024).

However, on the contrary, there is an increase in the number of votes for PAN. Zulkifli is considered to have successfully gained new constituents from the millennial and Gen Z demographics.

"Therefore, it is very reasonable for the voters in the congress to support Bang Zul once again as the Chairman of PAN," said Dradjad.

Also read: PAN Issues 400 Recommendations for Prospective Regional Head Candidates

Although there is support from PAN cadres for Zulkifli to become chairman again, according to Dradjad, it does not mean that the democratic system in PAN is being ignored. Democracy in PAN is running well. Previously, Dradjad was a candidate for PAN's chairman position at the 2020 Congress. At that time, Dradjad only received 6 votes and lost to Zulkifli.

MIS FRANSISKA DEWI

Chairman of the Regional Leadership Council (DPW) of the National Mandate Party in Jakarta, Eko Hendro Purnomo, after the plenary meeting of the DPR at Nusantara II building on Tuesday (23/5/2023).

According to Dradjad, anyone still has the right to run as a candidate for general chairman in the PAN Congress as long as they meet the requirements and receive support. However, the voters in PAN are very rational and objective so it would be very natural for them to support Zulkifli again as general chairman of PAN for the 2025-2030 period.

Also read: 2024 Election Results and Changes in the Map of Political Power in Parliament

The Chairman of the PAN Regional Leadership Council in Jakarta, Eko Hendro Purnomo (Eko Patrio), added that the Regional Leadership Councils across Indonesia will agree to acclaim and make Zulkifli the sole candidate. Nevertheless, the schedule for the congress has not been decided.

Usually, the PAN Congress is held in February. However, Eko proposed that the PAN Congress be held in 2024 only because all cadre members have agreed to want Zulkifli to be re-elected as chairman.

"This comes from the grassroots. There is no manipulation from the top. The schedule for the congress is usually in February. But, in my opinion, that's too long. It should be held after the election, directly," said Eko.