A regional election that is free from identity politics, free from money politics and free from commotion is the hope of all stakeholders.
By
J Kristiadi
·4 minutes read
Kompas/Wisnu Widiantoro
A large banner for the 2018 concurrent regional elections is displayed at the General Election Commission (KPU) building in Jakarta on Saturday (17/6). The regional elections on June 27 will be held in 17 provinces, 115 regencies and 39 cities across Indonesia.
From the perspective of nation- and state-building, Indonesia is defining itself as a dignified nation through the simultaneous regional elections. However, realizing the noble ideal requires traveling down a winding road. Political contests should be accompanied by high sportsmanship. Nevertheless, the 2018 regional elections are overshadowed by the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election, which was tainted with political rhetoric and demagogy, as well as highly divisive and pointed identity politics.
Yet, several individuals have openly suggested that the same strategy used in the Jakarta gubernatorial election, mainly in high population areas, also be used to win the 2018 regional elections. If such a strategy worked, perhaps it could be applied to the simultaneous regional elections and in the 2019 presidential election.
Such political practices with the potential to divide the nation has become a concern among the public and community leaders, especially ulema. Community leaders have repeatedly called on all components of the nation to ensure that the 2018 regional elections are peaceful, and not to use base sentiment to attract voters.
From the perspective of state-building, the concurrent regional elections will also highlight the future of democratic governance. The most frightening issue is the money politics epidemic, which is spreading very fast. Yet, that political pathology can be cured, given the high number of political leaders and cadres that are concerned and anxious about being targeted by the law enforcers, especially the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
The “misunderstanding” between La Nyalla Mahmud Mattalitti and Prabowo Subianto regarding political dowry must be turned into a blessing. This could then be utilized as a momentum for improving how the regional elections are organized.
First, political parties receive state funds under the principles of transparency and accountability, along with clear and detailed sanctions. Another option is that funding comes from the public and private sectors with similar requirements, plus clear identification of the source.
Second, the regional election should be of asymmetric design, starting with area mapping based on specific variables for a minimum of three electoral systems: 1) direct vote; 2) regional council votes; and 3) by presidential appointment, for example, the governors of the capital and other regions taking into account its strategic position and the effectiveness of the national government. With such an arrangement, it is hoped that political parties will be calmer and the cadres contesting the regional elections will not have to prepare an exorbitant amount of money.
Third, political parties should focus more on political education to develop a younger generation with more character. Without cadres of strong character, a political party is simply a crowd of human beings driven by emotion and a lust for power. Through a series of such agenda, political parties can gradually reform itself.
Finally, the next big agenda is the asymmetric arrangement and governance of regional administrations. In Indonesia, which is so vast and diverse in its natural and human resources, competitive advantage and localized interests, it is impossible to establish uniformity among its regional administrations.
These agendas are highly urgent, considering the public’s intolerance of political contests that resort to identity and money politics, because at stake is the existence of the nation and state. The nation has become a political dice for power seekers gambling to build their own empire. The nation is not a small cube that can easily be tossed in a game to satisfy the lust for political power.
In order for these agendas to be realized, we must not rely on the political elite, who are almost surely unwilling to reduce their level of comfort. It will require the involvement of civil society.
Kompas/Wisnu Widiantoro
J Kristiadi
A regional election that is free from identity politics, free from money politics and free from commotion is the hope of all stakeholders. The Jakarta gubernatorial election in 2017 was a bitter experience, but invaluable. The people are maturing politically, as seen from the public’s relatively cool response when the Jakarta administration issued policies that contradicted previous ones, such as its becak (pedicab) policy, its plans for the Tanah Abang Market, its revoking the motorcycle ban, its relocation of sidewalk vendors, its planned graft investigation into Sumber Waras Hospital and its decision to revoke licenses in the reclamation project.
The people are growing wiser, and are not easily provoked by political maneuvers that aim to maintain a trending topic for the sake of the 2019 presidential election. The public can learn from reliable leaders, but can also take lessons from careless power holders.
