Maintain the Regularity of Democracy

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

A wide banner bearing the logos of political parties contesting the 2019 general elections is displayed on Saturday (25/8/2018) along the fence surrounding the Jakarta headquarters of the General Elections Commission (KPU). The KPU is to issue by September a list of verified candidates from each political party participating in the election. Many voters are hoping that legislative candidates in the election are free from corruption, drug crimes and child sexual abuse as per the KPU regulation.

Amid the Asian Games euphoria and the sky-high achievements of Indonesian athletes, the sociopolitical temperature is bubbling below the surface.

Various “information” is being spread on social media and instant messaging groups without any clarification on their truth. Distorted information is spread deliberately to corner certain candidates. It is highly unethical to spread personal information on candidates’ families with an aim to degrade the candidates ahead of the presidential election.

Meanwhile, in a number of regions, non-partisan activist groups are declaring so-called “2019GantiPresiden” (2019ChangePresident) movements. The police are attempting to anticipate such movements in consideration of regional security. Their attempts then give rise to claims that the police are repressing freedom of expression and showing signs of reverting to the old, New Order politics.

We hope that everyone can restrain themselves to maintain the quality of democracy. Aspirations for a new president must be respected in the same way as support for President Joko Widodo’s reelection bid. Potential clashes between the two groups should be prevented to maintain the regularity of democracy. Anti-democracy groups should not hijack civil democracy to seek power.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has announced that the presidential election will be held on Apr. 17, 2019. The people’s aspirations will manifest on that day, when Indonesia’s “one person, one vote” democracy will determine the 2019-2024 national leadership.

Will the people bestow their mandate on Joko Widodo and Ma’ruf Amin, or will they replace the incumbent with Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno, the challengers seen to be offering new hopes? Leave the choice to the 174 million citizens, who will also choose the lawmakers that will fill our legislative bodies.

The campaign period will commence on Sept. 23, 2018 and end on Apr. 13, 2019. During this long campaign period, we expect to see competing ideas, initiatives and programs that may hopefully improve Indonesia.

When we agreed upon democracy, surely we also agreed upon the rules of the game. The public should understand that Indonesian politics still follows Harold Laswell’s theory: who gets what, when and how. Therefore, as must use our common sense and not rely on our emotions.

We hope that President Jokowi will maintain the neutrality and independence of the military and the police, including the National Intelligence Agency (BIN). They must not be involved in politics. President Jokowi’s wish for involving the police in disseminating information on the government’s achievements can lead to suspicions that the police are not politically neutral. The efforts to disseminate information on the government’s achievements should thus fall to the president’s campaign and communications teams.