Golkar’s Takeover and the Waning of Joko Widodo’s Power
Published 3 Sep 2024 By FULCRUM

By Made Supriatma, Visiting Fellow Indonesia Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore

Less than two months before stepping down, the outgoing president of Indonesia’s plans to hang onto power are at risk of unravelling. What is worse, his previously sky-high popularity is also starting to fray.

The announcement of former Golkar general chairman Airlangga Hartarto’s resignation on 10 August was met with what could be described as “unsurprised surprise”. Rumours had already been circulating for the past year about a potential takeover of this New Order-era party by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s allies. This is largely because Jokowi does not have his own political party, and any outgoing president needs a strong political base to support his post-presidential ambitions and relevance….

…In these rapidly unfolding developments, we are witnessing a significant decline in Jokowi’s popularity and influence. The opposite is true for Prabowo. The recent demonstrations have provided him with a convenient opportunity to distance himself from Jokowi. Some reports already suggest that the two men’s relationship is beginning to fracture, although both of them downplayed the suggestion. Consequently, the power and influence Jokowi anticipated wielding post-presidency now seem increasingly elusive, unless something shifts in his favour.

Read the whole piece here https://fulcrum.sg/golkars-takeover-and-the-waning-of-joko-widodos-power/