Approaching the political year of 2018, the political elite’s maturity is set to be sorely tested.
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Kompas/Ferganata Indra Riatmoko
Central Java governor and Kagama chairman Ganjar Pranowo gives a speech in a Teras Kita discussion themed “Outlook 2018 – Indonesia’s Challenges in a Political Year” in the senate hall of the UGM Central Building, Yogyakarta, Friday (15/12).
SLEMAN, KOMPAS — Approaching the political year of 2018, the political elite’s maturity is set to be sorely tested. They are expected to be able to present quality political contestation and avoid racial and religious sentiments to win the race.
This emerged during the Teras Kita Dialog titled “2018 Outlook: Indonesia’s Challenge in the Political Year” on Friday in the Senate Hall at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Sleman, Yogyakarta. The event was organized by Kompas and the Gadjah Mada University Alumni Association (Kagama).
The speakers at the discussion were UGM sociologist Arie Sudjito, UGM law professor Eddy OS Hiariej and Presidential Staff Office assistant for strategic economic issue and study Denni Puspa Purbasari. The discussion was moderated by UGM psychology professor Koentjoro and Kompas Yogyakarta bureau head Bambang Sigap Sumantri.
Arie said 2018 would be a political year because regional elections would be held in 171 regions and it would also see preparations getting under way for the 2019 poll. “The political process will increase dynamism in the public,” he added.
Arie said most Indonesians were familiar with regional and general elections because most of them have taken part in elections since the 1998 reforms.
Elite mentality
However, the most worrying part, Arie said, was the mentality of the political elite who are sometimes not prepared for a political contestation. “One of the democratic challenges in Indonesia is politicians who are not mature enough,” he said.
Moreover, Arie added, over the last few years there have been political misconceptions because politics had been perceived simply as a tool to gain power. Consequently, many parties resorted to using every means possible, including sectarian and religious issues, to win political contests.
“In fact, in a democratic system, the scale of democracy is not only about winning, but how the victory is achieved,” Arie said.
In the 2018 regional elections, the political elite need to present quality political contestation. They need to have the political will to follow consensus and existing regulations, Arie said.
“For example on money politics, it is stipulated by law that such practices are not allowed. Yet, we all know such practices exist.”
The political elite are also expected not to use ethnic, religious, racial and societal group (SARA) issues. “Political contestation is a common thing. The uncommon thing is the unhealthy contestation by manipulating sectarian issues and creating hate among each other.”
On that occasion, Arie emphasized the need to educate the public politically. One agency that has an important role to play in political education is the General Elections Commission (KPU). “The KPU should not only focus on the technicality of elections, it must also think about political education for the public,” he said.
If that was realized, he added, the 2018 regional elections would run smoothly without any conflict. “Let us create a perception that the 2018 political year is the year of hope, not the year of depression.”
Denni Puspa Purbasari said the political process in 2018 would affect the economy. On one hand, the regional elections in 171 regions could bring economic improvement in the region as the candidates would spend money on the campaign, including buying T-shirts and banners.
On the other hand, Denni added, the disputed regional elections would have a negative impact on the economy.
Problems during the regional elections could cause political instability and deter companies from investing in Indonesia. “If there is no political stability there will be no investors investing money here,” she said.
Therefore, Denni expected the 2018 regional elections to run peacefully without any conflict. “We hope democracy in Indonesia will become more mature and peaceful. Winning or losing is common.”
Legal problem
Eddy OS Hiariej said the political contestation in 2018 would possibly be marked by some legal problems. The most shocking are police reports about alleged violations of the law by regional head candidates who are contesting the elections.
“Several days ago, I went to the National Police headquarters. There were piles of reports about regional head candidates who will run in the 2018 elections.”
Eddy said those reports would create problems in the 2018 regional elections and could even trigger horizontal conflict, especially between supporters of the local political elite.
He added that the other legal problem, which could potentially become a focus of attention in 2018, is corruption. During the political process in 2018 the corruption issue could be used by the political elite to win public support. “Most corruption cases relate to politics and power. Thus, it is impossible that in the political year that the corruption issue is not used,” he said.
Nevertheless, Eddy emphasized, the law enforcement process must not be used for political interests. In order for law enforcement to take place without any intervention, agencies such as the police, prosecutors and the Corruption Eradication Commission must be professional.
“If we want law enforcement in 2018 and 2019 to be free of political elements, the top leaders at each agency must act professionally,” he said.
