Rejecting the ”Presiden-Sial”

The contestation in the 2019 presidential election was very hard and full of life-death nuances because of ideologization of identity politics. Many people feel it was very impossible that there would be reconciliation between the two fiercely-competing camps. However, after the General Election Commission determined Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Ma\'ruf Amin as the president-elect and vice president-elect, the freezing was increasingly melting, especially after the meeting between Jokowi and Prabowo Subianto. People should be grateful to the meeting of the two figures because it is expected to be able to cool down the heat of the political temperature which if not immediately extinguished could burn down the nation\'s building. The public expectation is fulfilled. The ripples of small movements of conservatism that got a free ride in the 2019 presidential election began to be isolated from the political activities even though they are able to move again if there is momentum that is considered appropriate.Unfortunately, Jokowi-Amin\'s success in political contestation begins to trigger internal competition to get the recognition of who is the most meritorious. Like the classic saying, success has many fathers, failure is an orphan. Every political party supporting the winners of the 2019 presidential election feels the most meritorious. The public feels the passion of the politicians, who are aroused by the sexiness of ministerial positions or other positions deemed strategic, in order to ensure political survival that is tainted by money politics. Even though it is always narrated the ministerial positions are the president\'s prerogative, it is almost certain, the president will get maximum pressure from the political party elites to accept the ministerial candidates they propose.

Political pragmatism also stirs up the stronghold of Prabowo and Sandiaga Uno who interprets the narrative of integrity and unity as a signal to join in the cabinet of the next government. This got its significance after a meeting between Megawati Soekarnoputri and Prabowo (Wednesday, 24 July 2019). Like it or not the agenda causes speculation that there is a crack in the Jokowi-Amin camp. This is because a few days earlier, other parties in the coalition, namely Nasdem, National Awakening Party (PKB), Golkar, and United Development Party (PPP), held a meeting. They were believed to be uncomfortable if Prabowo joins the coalition.

Meanwhile, from the people\'s perspective, a series of meetings has two fundamental interests. First, strengthening the spirit of national integrity and unity which has been damaged by the interests of power over the last several years. Second, producing a political consensus so that Jokowi-Amin can realize people\'s dreams, namely having a clean, authoritative and effective government.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo (left) speaks as Prabowo Subianto (right, foreground) claps his hands on Saturday (13/7/2019) at the Senayan MRT Station, where the two gave statements to the press after riding the MRT Jakarta from Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta. The two rivals of the met for the first time in public since the heated and divisive 2019 presidential election, and hoped that their meeting would prompt their supporters to reunite and move forward together in building the nation.

Public expectations emerged after hearing President Jokowi\'s speech in the middle of this month in Bogor. His speech was out of the ordinary; calm, flat, and not passionate. Even though quite concise, the public caught President Jokowi\'s determination, willpower, and strong-mindedness in completing various chronic problems that made people worry and be frustrated. His words were powerful and became more forceful because his commitment was accompanied by high-level intimidation against collectors of illegal levies, inaction in bureaucratic service, and intolerance. He vowed to control, slash, and even dissolve institutions that still use the mindset of a bureaucracy that is slow in serving the public. He will even hunt down and beat those who hinder investment. The President also affirmed Pancasila as the only ideology of the nation and he did not tolerate any of those who disturb the Pancasila.

He apparently wanted to remind the people, especially the political elite, that the deepest meaning of the victory of the 2019 presidential election is the strengthening of the presidential institution. The President is the highest holder of government authority in accordance with the constitution. He experienced that such an argument was only an incantation because the electoral process alone did not guarantee the realization of effective governance. Therefore, he categorically rejects to become only “presiden-sial” (bad luck president), who is only a puppet of the political elite. He felt it is time to transform himself as a "warlord" against state destroyers. The people also have the right to reject the "bad luck president".

Public support for Jokowi after the speech was proven by the results of the Kompas poll, 22 July 2019. Respondents agreed to some of the President\'s strong statements, namely the investment barrier must be hit (71.5 percent), removal and dissolution of inefficient and ineffective bureaucracy (85.7 percent), non-beneficial institutions must be disbanded (87.4 percent), and courageous ministers (92 percent).

Public support is very important in order to be able to relativize the pressure of the political elite and give the President the freedom to choose ministers who have managerial abilities, understanding the field of duty, and moral competence. Political gambling is very expensive if the cabinet is highly contaminated by the interests of power. If so, in the next five years, the government will not be able to lay the foundation of the life of the nation and state in accordance with the ideals of the nation\'s founders; realizing happiness for all people of Indonesia.

J KRISTIADI, Senior Researcher, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)