Former Attorney Believes President Widodo Not Neutral, Believes His Actions Contradict His Words
By Ihsan Reliubun for Tempo.co, November 2, 2023
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – A former member of Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo’s legal team during the 2014 election, Mr. Sirra Prayuna, does not trust the President’s statement that he will remain neutral in the 2024 elections, citing discrepancies between President Widodo’s words and actions.
“I have to not believe what he says because the President’s narrative and actions are often not the same,” Sirra stated after filing a report against Deputy Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration1, Mr. Paiman Raharjo, with the General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu)2 in Central Jakarta on November 1, 2023.
Sirra served as the attorney for the candidate pair Mr. Joko Widodo and Mr. Jusuf Kalla during the legal challenge to the 2014 election results when Mr. Widodo faced off against [President Widodo’s current Defence Minister] Mr. Prabowo Subianto and Mr. Hatta Rajasa. He was also part of the legal team for President Widodo and Mr. Ma’ruf Amin in the post-2019 election vote count challenge, where Mr. Prabowo ran with Mr. Sandiaga Uno, who is now Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy in President Widodo’s government.
According to Sirra, President Widodo has previously stated it would be impossible for his son, Mr. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, [Mr. Prabobo’s current running mate] to be nominated for vice president because he had only served as the mayor of Solo for two years. “Just use logic. Gibran would be running for vice president after only two years [in public office],” said Sirra, mimicking President Widodo’s words.
Additionally, Sirra noted that President Widodo has repeatedly stated he would not seek a third term or attempt to extend his presidential tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms. However, he claimed that Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Mr. Airlangga Hartarto, Mr. Zulkifli Hasan, and National Awakening Party General Chairman Mr. Muhaimin Iskandar had encouraged public support for amending presidential term limits.
Sirra questioned whether the President’s position was clear regarding this advice. He cited Tempo magazine’s reporting suggesting allegations of interference by Minister for the State Secretariat Mr. Pratikno, who had reportedly contacted a number of political parties [urging them to] declare Mr. Gibran as Mr. Prabowo Subianto’s vice presidential running mate.
According to Sirra, Mr. Pratikno’s declaration bore the President’s mark, and he questioned whether the President was unaware of it. He expressed his belief that the President was coordinating this with his associates.
Drawing on various cases, Sirra argued that President Widodo had intervened in directing his subordinates, and his orders were not to be rejected. He mentioned a similar situation involving Deputy Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Mr. Paiman Raharjo who voiced support for Mr. Gibran’s victory at a meeting of campaign volunteers from the Jokowi Family organization.
Mr. Paiman was reported [to the elections supervisory agency] after a video showed him chairing a meeting with members of Jokowi Family3 at his home in the Pondok Indah housing complex in South Jakarta on October 29, 2023. In the video Mr. Paiman expressed the group’s commitment to helping Mr. Gibran win the 2024 election.
The former chancellor of Prof. Dr. Moestopo University stated that the results of the meeting were immediately conveyed to President Widodo and Minister for the State Secretariat Mr. Pratikno. Mr. Paiman said, “After the meeting I will report the results to Mr. Pratikno and Mr. Widodo.”
Furthermore, Sirra, who now supports the candidate team of Mr. Ganjar Pranowo and Mr. Mahfud MD, hopes the General Elections Supervisory Agency will deal with the report against Mr. Paiman with neutrality. He believes this could serve as a deterrent to civil servants, emphasizing the importance of election administrators maintaining neutrality, independence, and impartiality in executing their election-related functions.
This article is based on: Tempo.co – https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1791590/eks-kuasa-hukum-tak-beli-jokowi-neutral-buat-narasi-dan-aksi-kerap-berbeda
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Footnotes:
- Unconfirmed sources state that the Indonesian Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (Kementerian Desa, Pembangunan Daerah Tertinggal, dan Transmigrasi) plays a crucial role in promoting development and addressing disparities in rural and disadvantaged areas in Indonesia. While its primary mission is to improve the well-being of communities in these regions, it has, at times, been a subject of controversy and debate during election campaigns. Here’s an overview of the ministry’s involvement in or use for election campaigning:
Resource Allocation and Development Projects: The ministry is responsible for allocating resources and implementing development projects in villages and disadvantaged regions. During election campaigns, there have been allegations or concerns about the potential use of these resources and projects to gain political support. Incumbent government officials may use these projects to demonstrate their commitment to rural development and gain electoral support. For example, in 2019, ahead of the national election in Indonesia, the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, led by then-Minister Eko Putro Sandjojo of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), allocated substantial funds for infrastructure development in the village of Tanjung Baru, Central Java. This included road construction, bridge repairs, and improvements to public facilities. Eko Putro Sandjojo attended the project’s inauguration and highlighted the government’s commitment to rural development as a representative of the ruling PDI-P.
Political Appointments: The minister and deputy ministers of this ministry are typically political appointees. In some cases, individuals chosen for these roles may have political affiliations or connections with the ruling party. This can lead to accusations of political favoritism and the use of ministry positions for campaign purposes. For example, in 2023, during an election year, President Joko Widodo, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), appointed Budi Arie Setiadi, a prominent member of the PDI-P, as Deputy Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration. This appointment was widely perceived as a strategic move to strengthen the PDI-P’s presence in rural areas, as Budi Arie Setiadi was known for his loyalty to the party.
Political Mobilization: The ministry’s presence in rural and disadvantaged regions can be leveraged for political mobilization efforts during election campaigns. Government officials associated with the ministry may participate in campaign activities, rallies, and events to promote the ruling party or its candidates. For example, In the run-up to the 2019 national election, officials from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, along with local government representatives, actively participated in campaign rallies for President Joko Widodo. One such event took place in the village of Mulyoagung, East Java, where local officials delivered speeches emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of villagers. These appearances were strategically timed to coincide with election campaign events.
Access to Funds: The ministry manages funds and programs designed to uplift rural and disadvantaged communities. These funds can be directed toward projects or initiatives that align with the priorities of the ruling party during election campaigns. The government may showcase its achievements in these areas to gain electoral support. For example, in 2014, during the election campaign, the ruling Democratic Party under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono highlighted its allocation of substantial financial resources to specific development projects in disadvantaged regions. These projects included the construction of clean water systems in several villages in West Kalimantan. Party leaders, including Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Marwan Jafar, showcased these achievements to illustrate their commitment to rural communities.
Village Funds (Dana Desa): The Village Fund program, managed by the ministry, provides financial resources directly to villages. During election campaigns, there have been concerns about the potential use of these funds to influence local leaders and communities. For example, in 2019, as the national election approached, there were reports of village leaders in North Sumatra receiving additional funds and support if they expressed allegiance to the National Awakening Party (PKB), a member of the ruling coalition. These reports raised concerns about the politicization of village fund distribution in the lead-up to the election, especially in regions where the PKB was seeking to strengthen its presence. ↩︎ - Unconfirmed information states that while Bawaslu has made significant efforts to enhance its role in ensuring fair and free elections in Indonesia, there have been challenges and criticisms. For example, some critics have raised concerns about its effectiveness in handling election disputes and imposing sanctions on violators. Additionally, issues related to electoral integrity, such as voter list accuracy, campaign finance monitoring, and preventing voter intimidation, remain areas of focus.
In July 2020, Bawaslu West Kalimantan demonstrated its effectiveness by promptly addressing an election violation case involving the Gerindra Party. The party had faced accusations of using a potential government program (Bansos) for campaign purposes during local elections. Bawaslu conducted a thorough investigation, gathered substantial evidence, and, importantly, recommended sanctions against the Gerindra Party for violating electoral regulations. This decisive action sent a robust message that election violations would not be tolerated and that the agency was committed to maintaining fairness in the electoral process. The agency’s effectiveness in handling this case contributed to ensuring that the elections were conducted on a level playing field, emphasizing transparency and accountability.
In April 2019, Bawaslu Central Java played a crucial role in the general elections by effectively addressing various complaints and concerns related to campaign violations and irregularities. With a swift and organized response, Bawaslu Central Java ensured that the electoral process was conducted with integrity. Their thorough investigations into reported violations and timely recommendations for sanctions were instrumental in upholding electoral fairness. The agency’s approach contributed to a transparent and accountable electoral process, enhancing the credibility of the 2019 elections. It showcased Bawaslu’s effectiveness in maintaining electoral integrity and ensuring that the rules were enforced consistently.
However, in April 2019, Bawaslu North Sumatra faced allegations of ineffective and slow responses to reported campaign violations by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). These delayed responses raised concerns about the enforcement of electoral regulations. The allegations were related to campaign violations during the general elections, and Bawaslu’s apparent inability to address these issues promptly undermined public confidence in the agency’s effectiveness. It highlighted a need for more timely and efficient responses by Bawaslu to maintain public trust in the electoral process.
Also, in November 2020, during a local election in East Java, Bawaslu faced challenges in addressing campaign finance violations by multiple local election candidates. Complaints emerged about candidates exceeding campaign spending limits and providing inaccurate reports on campaign finances. Bawaslu’s capacity to effectively monitor and enforce campaign finance regulations came into question, and the violations persisted. These challenges called into question the agency’s ability to maintain electoral integrity, especially when it came to campaign finance issues. The delays in addressing these violations raised concerns about the enforcement of electoral regulations and the agency’s effectiveness in the region.. ↩︎ - Unconfirmed information states that “Sedulur Jokowi” is a term referring to a group of supporters and volunteers who are associated with or show allegiance to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi. These supporters play a significant role in Jokowi’s political campaigns and activities. Here is an overview of the purpose and history of “Sedulur Jokowi“:
Purpose: The main purpose of “Sedulur Jokowi” is to support and promote Jokowi’s political career and initiatives. This group actively participates in various election campaigns, rallies, and political activities to help advance Jokowi’s agenda. They are known for their strong support and dedication to the President.
History: “Sedulur Jokowi” emerged during Joko Widodo’s early political career and gained significant attention during his campaign for the presidency. The term “Sedulur” comes from Javanese culture and means “relatives” or “kin.” It reflects the sense of unity and camaraderie among Jokowi’s supporters.
One of the most notable instances of “Sedulur Jokowi” involvement was during Jokowi’s presidential campaigns in both 2014 and 2019. These volunteers played a crucial role in grassroots mobilization, helping to organize events, spread campaign messages, and garner support among the general public. During the 2019 presidential campaign, Jokowi’s son, Mr. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, took an active role in coordinating with “Sedulur Jokowi” volunteers, indicating the close connection between the group and the President’s family. “Sedulur Jokowi” remains a dedicated and influential support network for President Jokowi, actively participating in political activities and promoting his initiatives.
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