Choose the Best for Indonesia

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Prabowo Subianto

The 2024 presidential election is still two years away. During this time, the best figure who can bring Indonesia to the gates of glory must be chosen.

In the January 2022 National Leadership Survey conducted by Kompas Research and Development (Litbang), three names are at the very top: Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. These three names also topped the National Leadership Survey in October 2021.

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Prabowo, Ganjar, Anies Still Dominant

Occupying the middle ranks are public figures such as Sandiaga S. Uno, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Ridwan Kamil, Tri Rismaharini, Mahfud M.D. and Gatot Nurmantyo. Meanwhile, other names have begun to appear too, such as Andika Perkasa, Erick Thohir, and Puan Maharani.

Constitutionally, Indonesia elects a new leader every five years, with each leader restricted to two terms in office. These restrictions are regulated in Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution, which states: “The President and the Vice President hold office for five years, and may subsequently be reelected for the same office for only one additional term.”

KOMPAS/ADI PRINANTYO

Ganjar Pranowo

This two-term limit has been in place since 2004, when Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) won the presidency with Jusuf Kalla as his running mate and served from 2004 to 2009. Yudhyono then ran for president again in 2009, alongside Boediono. The pair won the election and led the government until 2014.

Joko “Jokowi” Widodo then won the 2014 presidential election with running mate Jusuf Kalla. The Jokowi-Kalla pair then led the government until 2019, before Jokowi ran again with K.H. Ma’ruf Amin. The 2019-2024 term marks Jokowi’s second and final term.

This means that political parties will be putting forward their best figures in 18 months.

We respect President Jokowi’s stance in not opening the floor to discussions about extending the presidential term. This means that it is now time for Indonesia, in the remaining period before the 2024 presidential election, to choose the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who will lead the nationa from 2024 to 2029. Provided that no changes are made, registration for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates will be held on 7-13 Sept. 2023. This means that political parties will be putting forward their best figures in 18 months.

The Kompas Litbang National Leadership Survey uses only one of many methods to see which figures the public perceive as worthy of running for president and vice president. Are the names produced by this survey, as well as other surveys, certain to become presidential and vice-presidential candidates? Not necessarily.

NINA SUSILO

Anies Baswedan

The public certainly hopes that political parties will be careful in selecting candidates who will consider and prioritize the interests of the people and the nation. Whatever their background, whether politics, business, the bureaucracy, the military or other, they must be the best figure to lead Indonesia to achievements that will earn the world’s praise. This figure is one that will devote themselves to fulfilling the interests of the people, not their personal interests or the interests of their group.

(This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia)