Political Party Reform

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

Democratic Party Chairperson Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono with Medan mayor candidate Akhyar Nasution at a media meeting, in Medan, North Sumatra, Monday (23/11/2020).

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Democratic Party issued a statement recently that certain groups wanted to take over the party’s leadership.

The chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, unveiled that he had sent a letter to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asking for clarification about the existence of a senior official within the Palace who was allegedly trying to take over his political party. A number of the Democratic Party’s members then explained that the official in question was the Presidential Chief of Staff, Moeldoko.

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Moeldoko immediately denied the accusation. He admitted that he had met with members and former members of the Democratic Party and listened to their complaints. However, he stressed that he had no intention, let alone the power, to take over the leadership of the Democratic Party.

In a number of cases, such a practice involves certain people outside the party.

In the history of Indonesian politics, conflicts and especially efforts to control a political party is not new at all. In the reform era, this usually is made by certain people within the party who are dissatisfied over the change in the party’s leadership. In a number of cases, such a practice involves certain people outside the party.

In an era of information transparency like today, it is not difficult to find out what has really happened in the Democratic Party. Abundant information about it can be found in various media with various versions.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo talks with the Commander of the Joint Task Force Command (Kogasma) of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Wednesday (22/5/2019).

A number of conflicts in political parties indicate that democracy has not been fully upheld as the only rule of the game within the party. This condition, exacerbated by the high cost of politics, has made it difficult for a number of political parties to escape the shadow of their figures or founders. This situation also hinders the regeneration of political parties.

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This phenomenon can be seen in the House of Representatives (DPR). A survey conducted by Kompas’ Research and Development indicates that only 72 out of 575 DPR members for the 2019-2024 period, or 12.5 percent, are under 40 years old. It is lower than that in the 2014-2019 period during which the number reached 92 out of 560 DPR members or 16.4 percent. In addition, of the 72 young DPR members, as many as 50 percent or 36 people are suspected of being part of kinship politics. (Kompas, 12/8/2019).

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This shows that the internal reform of political parties is slow. In fact, political parties are a necessity in a democratic system. There is no democracy without political parties. Political parties play a very important role, among others, being one of the main sources of public leadership and interest aggregation. Political parties that are inclusive and adopt democratic values will produce quality leaders who are quite needed to maintain democracy.

TANGKAPAN LAYAR YOUTUBE SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

Minister of State Secretary Pratikno gave a statement regarding the letter of Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, addressed to President Joko Widodo at the State Secretariat Complex, Jakarta, Thursday (4/2/2021).

A reformed and strong political party will also not be too concerned with issues such as leadership conflicts. This is because the members are aware that they must obey the agreed rules of the game. In a pandemic era like today, responsible political parties should also be busy with a program to help the people overcome Covid-19.

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).