Managing the Political Tension

Political tension ahead of the 14 Feb., 2024, General Election has begun to heat up. Political parties have begun to declare presidential candidates.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Chairman of the National Democratic Party Surya Paloh (right) with DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (left) at the Announcement of Presidential Candidates for the 2024 Election carried by the National Democratic Party (Nasdem) at Nasdem Tower, Jakarta, Monday (3/10/2022).

The Nasdem Party has declared Jakarta Governor Anies Rasyid Baswedan its presidential nominee. This was followed by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). This party, without representatives in the House of Representatives, nominated Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo paired with Yenny Wahid.

Previously, the Gerindra Party nominated Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as a presidential candidate. There are other names, such as Airlangga Hartarto, who was promoted by the Golkar Party and Muhaimin Iskandar, who was proposed by the National Awakening Party (PKB). And there are still other names, such as Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Puan Maharani.

Also read:

> Public Benefits from Early Presidential Candidate Announcements

> Political Parties Read the People’s Aspirations

The emergence of the presidential candidates gives voters more choices. The more choices the better for the public. However, the formal legal reality must still be followed. The pairs of presidential candidates must be proposed by a political party or a combination of political parties on the condition that they have 20 percent of the seats in the House or 25 percent of the national vote. With these requirements, only the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) can nominate its own candidate without forming an electoral alliance. This means that other political parties must cooperate politically to nominate presidential candidates, including Nasdem.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Chairman of the Democratic Party Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) prepares to give his political speech during the National Leadership Meeting (Rapimnas) of the Democratic Party in Jakarta, Friday (16/9/2022).

Even though the emergence of many candidates is inevitable, we still hope that the political tension will be controlled. The spiritual atmosphere of the community needs to be taken into consideration. The challenges in front of our eyes are not easy. The “perfect storm” in the form of a post-pandemic situation and the continuing Ukraine-Russia war has resulted in a global recession and soaring inflation. This situation is clearly increasing the burden on the people, coupled with the domestic disease of corruption for which there has been no cure and the consolidation of institutions that have not yet fully matured.

This challenge must be faced by the government of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his Cabinet members, including political parties that have joined the government of President Jokowi. The Cabinet must remain solid to serve the people whose burden is getting heavier. The power held must be dedicated to the interests of the people, not just to gain or keep power.

Also read:

> Political Parties Remain Indecisive, Coalitions not yet Fixed

> The Stage of Politics

The emergence of the presidential candidates is unavoidable because President Jokowi will end his term on 20 Oct, 2024. However, we hope that all parties will maintain the stages leading to the 2024 general election.

The registration of the presidential candidates will only be carried out in October 2023. We also hope that the presidential candidates can offer their ideas to the public on various national problems, whether they are about corruption, social and spatial inequality, global climate change, digital disruption and other national problems. Political ideas to bring about a pluralistic, prosperous, just and wealthy Indonesia based on Pancasila are urgently needed.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.