Declaring is Committing

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

2019 presidential election candidate pairs Joko Widodo-Ma\'ruf Amin and Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno laugh together as they converse after drawing serial numbers at the General Election Commission (KPU) office on Jl. Imam Bonjol, Central Jakarta, on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Joko Widodo-Ma\'ruf Amin drew number 1 while Prabowo-Sandiaga got number 2.

A peaceful campaign for the presidential election on April 17, 2019, was announced at National Monument (Monas) Park in Jakarta. There is hope that this year’s campaign will be more rational.

The so-called peace declaration has been signed as the commitment of presidential candidate pairs Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-KH Ma\'ruf Amin and Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno. They have committed to campaigning without politicizing ethnicity, religion, tribal and inter-group (SARA) issues, without hoaxes or money politics, and prioritizing a contest of ideas is a good start.

The diverse styles and colors of Indonesia appeared around Monas and in several cities. Presidential candidates in regional attire send an important message about pluralism in the country, which has many ethnic groups, religions and languages. Pluralism is a necessity.

A peaceful campaign that involves the masses –the candidate pairs and the public – will not be perfect. Violations may occur. However, we have the impression that Jokowi-Ma\'ruf Amin and Prabowo-Sandiaga, as seen in their body language, have sent signals to the public of an intimate, healthy contest that puts forward political ideas for building a better Indonesia.

This good start must be maintained. It is the duty and responsibility of the candidate pairs and their national campaign managers, Erick Thohir and Djoko Santoso, to present the candidates’ commitment to a peaceful campaign to their supporters. The candidates must invite their supporters to follow the long campaign period – nearly seven months – with joy, including social media campaigns.

Both candidate pairs and their campaign teams must be bold in criticizing if their campaigns, especially on social media, conduct character assassination, spread slander or violate campaign rules under the Election Law. It is the duty of the election organizers, the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), to act upon any campaign materials that do not comply with regulations.

The public certainly should not want the campaigns to be a mere festivity, as they are expected to raise ideas and programs on several social development issues. These include ideas and programs on how to overcome social and economic inequality, the constant and rampant corruption and drugs and the continuing threat of terrorism, as well as on human rights issues such as civil liberties and religious freedom.

In economics, ideas and programs are expected on providing affordable basic necessities and jobs, resolving the foreign debt, and preparing the nation for the era of digital revolution.

Prabowo is expected to provide an alternative program to test the incumbent’s development policies, while Jokowi will certainly be questioned over a number of unfulfilled promises. With a competition of data and ideas, the presidential campaign is expected to be more rational and, in addition to the candidates’ track records, the debate is expected to provide input for voters in making their choices.