A recent series of statements and moves by political elites regarding the 2019 Presidential Election seemingly shows that they are engaged in a war of nerves against one another.
By
·4 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – A recent series of statements and moves by political elites regarding the 2019 Presidential Election seemingly shows that they are engaged in a war of nerves against one another. Most plans and ideas proposed in this period are seemingly “nothing serious” and may not even be in real consideration.
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University political communications lecturer Gun Gun Heryanto said the idea of nominating Vice President Jusuf Kalla as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s running mate in next year’s election was an example of this. “I am sure that those who proposed and responded to the idea clearly understood the Constitution and the Election Law,” Gun said on Friday (2/3/2018).
Another example of the war of nerves is the idea of a sole candidate or the nomination of Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party chair Prabowo Subianto as Jokowi’s running mate in next year’s election.
Gun Gun said that he expected this war of nerves to end as the presidential and vice-presidential candidate registration closed on August 10. This recent war of nerves is believed to be related to the contest among political elites to either be Jokowi’s running mate or be his opponents in next year’s elections.
“Currently, Gerindra has yet to officially announce its candidate for next year’s election as it is still waiting for the announcement of Jokowi’s running mate. On the other hand, Jokowi’s team is still waiting to see if Prabowo himself will contest next year’s election or support another candidate instead. So, they are currently waiting for each other to make the first move,” Gun Gun said.
Political communications
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) deputy secretary-general Eriko Sotarduga said that Jokowi’s meetings with several political party leaders was part of his political communications. “I don’t think Jokowi’s planning to ask all the parties [to support him] and make him a sole candidate. Having many competitors is always good and nothing special,” he said.
Previously, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) chair Mohamad Sohibul Iman said that Jokowi had asked the party to support him in 2019. The PKS rejected the offer as, if PKS and other parties support Jokowi’s reelection bid, only Jokowi and his running mate will contest next year’s election. Gerindra has made a similar statement. (Kompas, 2/3/2018).
“We hear that it is the PKS that wants to support Jokowi. If that’s the case, of course the party will be welcomed,” Eriko said.
Golkar Party coordinator of party affairs Ibnu Munzir said that Jokowi’s communications with party leaders was fair game. “Lobbying is done and political communications established with all parties. There’s nothing unusual about this,” he said.
Ibnu said that Golkar also lobbied and communicated with other parties in support of Jokowi, including by approaching Gerindra, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Democratic Party. On Thursday (1/3), Golkar chair Airlangga Hartarto met with Democratic Party election campaign task force leader Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono. The meeting discussed the possibility of the Democratic Party joining Jokowi’s coalition in the 2019 election.
Currently, five parties with seats in the House of Representatives have declared their support for Jokowi. These parties are the PDI-P, Golkar, the United Development Party (PPP), the Nasdem Party and the Hanura Party. Five other parties, namely Gerindra, the PKS, PAN, the Democratic Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB), have made no decision.
Gerindra Party deputy chair Fadli Zon reaffirmed that Gerindra would nominate Prabowo as presidential candidate. “We are 100 percent behind Prabowo,” he said.
Fadli said that the emergence of new party coalitions outside of those supporting Jokowi and Prabowo would be positive. With more presidential candidates, the public will have more options to choose from.
Democratic Party deputy secretary-general Rachlan Nashidik said there should be a wide opportunity for other candidates besides Jokowi and Prabowo. This is to prevent the reoccurrence of political designs in the 2014 elections. “If the same two candidates in 2014 fight again in 2019, this shows that the country has a deficit of leadership figures. This is despite there being many young leaders we can push for,” Rachland said.