by: Denny JA
Jokowi’s cabinet reshuffle in the pandemic era, December 2020, is unique. Sandiaga Uno, the running mate of the 2019 presidential election, followed his presidential candidate, Prabowo, who both became ministers for his elected competitor: Jokowo-Maaruf Amin.
Wow! Only in Indonesia can this event occur. Strange, but True! This event could enter the first in the World Guinness Book of Records. For a democratic world that embraces direct presidential elections, this could be one of the seven wonders of the world. Is it a good question or no for building a healthy democratic tradition? Answer: There are three interpretations!
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You can still imagine the atmosphere and mind of the 2019 presidential election. This is the most divisive national-level political battle in Indonesia’s history. Friendship, the world of work, and even family relationships can break because of different political choices in the presidential election. The politicization of religion and identity politics made this division emotional.
It is as if the 2019 Presidential Election is a life and death battle for Indonesia’s future. If one wins, Indonesia might disband because of the wrong direction. If the others win, Indonesia may become a religious state.
Look at the different visions and missions of the two presidential and cawapres pairs in three debates. (1) Impressed that they are betting because they offer a different future for Indonesia. Look at the polarization in supportive civil society. It is as if the holy struggle to save religion is at stake in the presidential election. (2)
Even when the KPU proclaimed the winners, the polarization never stopped. I heard people’s power issue. (3) It turns out that the commotion of 2019 only lasted a year. Look now in 2020. how harmonious and intimate the two pairs of candidates are fighting. They side by side running one government.
It divides netizens into pros and cons. Those who don’t like it, if we use curses from Betawi, respond: Makdikipe! Dammit. They tricked me! Those who like it respond otherwise. Aha! Peace! Bravo! We can give three political interpretations in response to this rare event. Positive, Neutral and Negative.
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We start with a positive interpretation first. Jokowi-Ma’ruf and Prabowo-Sandi realize that unity and a strong Indonesia are the main interests. So cooperation after the competition becomes the first choice.
The election of alternative names in the cabinet, and Jokowi’s various policies, including the Job Creation Law, have shown a powerful message. Jokowi wants to achieve a great legacy: a strong government, with investment and the economy at the helm. And moderate Islam that is brave and rooted in the ministry of religion.
The combination of stable politics, plus massive investment, plus siding with religious culture that protects diversity is an option. We must see the union of two presidential and vice presidential candidates pairs from a larger perspective. Their willingness to unite is precisely the image of the quality of statesmen.
How about a neutral interpretation? The neutral interpretation departs from the positions of Prabowo and Sandi. Why are they willing to downgrade the status of the President and Vice President (even though they are still candidates) to mere ministerial level?
These two figures remain strong candidates for the 2024 presidential election. This is a political law. Their names are much more flying if they continue to circulate on the national stage. Becoming a minister is only an intermediate goal to move back forward in the 2024 presidential election.
What about negative interpretations? The politics of today’s elites are too elastic. Without a strong core philosophy. Without a firm policy principle.
It’s easy for them to switch sides across to the opposing camp. It’s as easy as changing clothes. As small as changing shoes. They no longer care about supporters who are “bleeding,” who thought the presidential and cawapres candidates brought an alternative perspective.
This is banana democracy, where opposition politics are not considered noble. Instead of being an opposition figure, the elite competed to join the camp that had previously been the opponent. Isn’t this a sign that the program competition which is considered serious is just an accessory.
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I myself choose a positive interpretation. It’s more because I hope and like the message: Strong government. A growing investment. A moderate world of religions protects diversity. Congratulations to all of us. Those colored with religion can cry out: Takbir! The secular one can call: Take Beer! It’s to celebrate living in politics that people say BUY ONE, GET TWO. By only choosing Jokowi-Ma’ruf, now also Prabowo-Sandi. Is this essay serious? Or a joke? Please interpret yourself.
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