(Tempo) Parties Trapped in Senior Politician Control

12/12/2018

Some senior politicians refuse to let go of their current chairmanship positions. Those who are in power and will re-occupy parties’ top positions are Democratic Party Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto and People’s Conscience (Hanura) Party Chairman Wiranto.

Democrat Party deputy chairman Agus Hermanto said Yudhoyono had stated his willingness to become the party’s chairman in the congress that will be held in May 2015. “He will step forward to convey his ideas to raise the party,” said Agus on Monday.

According to Agus, supports for Yudhoyono come from both branch and regional officials. Sjariefuddin Hasan, the party’s executive chairman, considers Yudhoyono as the most influential figure to lead the party until 2020.

PDIP Chairwoman Megawati is confirmed to be re-elected in the congress that will be held in March 2015. Her appointed was decided at PDIP national working meeting in Semarang, Jawa Tengah last September. PDIP acting secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said Mega was the most worthy to lead PDIP because she was able to rake the most votes in 2014 general elections. “Mega could make PDIP loyal to its ideology, win elections and Jokowi become president,” said Hasto.

Regarding regeneration, PDIP’s central board chairman Maruarar Sirait said he had no doubt of Megawati’s commitment because in the last presidential election, she nominated Joko Widodo as presidential candidate. According to 2010 National Congress decision, nomination of presidential candidate is the authority of the chairperson. “If she was selfish and feudal, she could become presidential candidate, but did she do that? She is democratic and listen to the voices of the people,” said Maruarar.

Gerindra and Hanura will still place Prabowo and Wiranto as their leaders. Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani said his party will not hold any congress in 2015. Regional executives already stated their wish to make Prabowo as Gerindra’s leader until 2020 during extraordinary congress last September.

According to Muzani, Prabowo initially refused to hold two positions which are chairman and chief patron. “However, after being pressured, Prabowo eventually changed his mind under the condition that he will only lead for a short time,” said Muzani.

Hanura will also hold a national meeting for leadership succession in Solo, Central Java in February 2015. However, according to Hanura faction member M. Farid Alfauzi, all cadres have agreed to ask Wiranto to be re-elected as the party’s leader because Wiranto is able to maintain stability and increase electability of the party. “Hanura is democratic, open and egalitarian, but Wiranto is still needed for the party,” said Farid.

Gun Gun Heryanto, political observer from the State Islamic University, criticized the parties that are still trapped in traditional political practice that emphasizes figures. “A figure is allowed to become chairman, but there must be circulation of elites,” he said. Parties are advised to limit leadership period to two terms.

Hamdi Moeleok, political psychology expert from University of Indonesia, asked parties to open space for competition. “No need to be afraid of conflict,” said Hamdi.

JejakParlemen

Berita Terkait

Kategori Berita

(Tempo) Parties Trapped in Senior Politician Control