Transition: Supporters of Dynasty Politics Give Up On Democracy?

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Transition: Supporters of Dynasty Politics Give Up On Democracy?

“The Joko Widido dynasty is being supported by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) and a number of activists from the 1998 democracy reform movement. But why have they change direction?” Tempo Magazine

Editor

October 15, 2024

4–6 minutes

1998, Democracy, Election Campaign, Elections, Gibran, Human Rights, Indonesia, Jagung, Joko Widodo, Partai Politik, Pemilu, Pemilu 2019, Pemilu 2024, Political Family, Political Parties, Politics, Politik Dinasti, PSI

Supporters of Dynasty Politics Defect From Democratic Reform Movement

By Tempo’s Special Year-End Edition Team, December 31, 2023

Political tumult grips Indonesia as 2023 draws to a close. The primary cause? The ascent of Mr. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, President Joko Widodo’s eldest son, as the vice-presidential running mate for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto. The President’s support for the Prabowo-Gibran duo undoubtedly casts a shadow over the upcoming 2024 general election, evidenced by the deployment of the machinery of state, including law enforcement, to secure victory for his one-time adversary, and his son.

Gibran should have remained in his seat as the Mayor of the city of Solo because he has not reached the age of 40, the statutory minimum age for presidential election candidates. He was able to leap into the 2024 presidential race after Indonesia’s Constitutional Court, led, at the time, by his uncle Chief Justice Anwar Usman, rolled out the red carpet for him through its judgement on October 16, 2023. Though Anwar was subsequently ousted on the grounds of findings of ethical breaches, the dinner was already burnt. President Joko Widodo’s dynastic politics have tarnished democracy.

Twenty-five years ago, the 1998 democracy reform movement (Reformasi 1998) threw off the shackles of the authoritarian New Order regime. Initiated by student movements, some of whom lost their lives, the bud of democracy sprouted, but never fully blossomed. And now, at year’s end, we witness an unholy alliance between the New Order’s legacy and an unconstitutional offspring. This political force might very well plunge democracy into deeper darkness.

In the midst of this darkness, we witness political actors shamelessly removing their masks in order to wed power. This spectacle is glaringly evident in the case of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (Partai Solidaritas Indonesia or PSI). Initially appearing to be different, a gateway for the young yearning for change, its leaders vehemently opposed political dynasties, and money politics.

But as time surged forward, PSI’s true colors have emerged. Not only did they support Gibran, but also Prabowo, who in the 2019 elections was the target of tirades from its members. PSI has even appointed Mr. Kaesang Pangarep, President Widodo’s youngest son, as its chairman. PSI not only supports dynasty politics, but has casually helped it flourish. The party lacks genuine ideas for reform, and is just riding on the coattails of the young.

Tempo’s investigation has revealed PSI’s longstanding involvement in money politics. Out of 573 legislative candidates registered for the 2019 general election, some were backed by corporate oligarchs who poured in at least hundreds of billions of rupiahs (tens of millions of US dollars) to secure their entry into the parliament. This trial and error project failed then, but now, with support from the Presidential Palace and the machinery of state, their cards are being played anew.

PSI, never truly an idealistic party, isn’t the only pragmatic player. Many political parties, perhaps all, have long nurtured dynasty politics and a culture of corruption. Hypocrisy and tunnel vision—merely succumbing to Joko Widodo’s whip—now cling shamelessly to PSI. It now unabashedly defends what is wrong and unethical, even if these errors are fatally eroding the aspirations of the 1998 Democracy Reform Movement.

On the other side, some of the 1998 democracy activists, instrumental in toppling President Soeharto back then, have made a U-turn, betraying the reforms they once advocated for, despite enduring suffering and risking their lives. One of them, Mr. Budiman Sudjatmiko, former Chair of the Democratic People’s Party, was imprisoned by the New Order regime. Like PSI, Budiman fearlessly contested against Prabowo Subianto in the presidential election.

Prabowo, former Commander General of the Special Forces Command, was dismissed from military service over the abduction of activists in 1997-1998. Dozens of activists never returned, and their whereabouts remain unclear to this day. They were Budiman’s friends. Yet, Budiman wasn’t the first to switch sides. Several activists had already thrown their support behind Prabowo. Once again, errors were able to fade away easily, for the sake of the dream of ascending to power.

Readers, in this year-end edition, we present a special feature on the trajectory of the Indonesian Solidarity Party and the activists who have made a complete about face. This edition differs from previous ones, bringing forth figures who have rendered exceptional service, and consistently fought not just for themselves, but for the public interests.

This idea surfaced in December 2023. Through intense editorial debates and discussions, we unanimously agreed to trace the roles of those who have supported political dynasties and defected from the 1998 Democracy Reform Movement. With limited time, we conducted marathon interviews with sources directly involved in the machinations to enthrone the Joko Widodo dynasty and reach the highest levels of power.

For instance, in our coverage of PSI, we delved into the role of Mr. Jeffrie Geovanie, PSI’s Council Chair, in fundraising campaigns for the party’s legislative candidates. This included how Jeffrie offered the position of chairman of PSI to a member of Joko Widodo’s family. In our coverage of these one-time democracy activists, we met with a large number of former 1998 activists, pivotal figures in the democracy reform movement, who are now aligned with Prabowo-Gibran.

From those who have chosen not to tread the path of democracy, we might glean invaluable lessons. That democracy will never be a haven for those who lack a sense of shame and ethics. Enjoy reading and brace yourself for the tumultuous political year of 2024.

This article is based on https://majalah.tempo.co/read/laporan-khusus/170603/psi-aktivis-1998. In Tempo’s print edition their article was published under the title “Dynasty Supporters Defectors from Reform”. Writers: Aisha Shaidra, Avit Hidayat, Egi Adyatama, Francisca Christy Rosana, Hussein Abri Dongoran, Yosea Arga

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