Doing Politics for the People

The Kompas Research and Development (Litbang) survey recorded the dynamic electability of political parties. Regardless of who wins the legislative elections later, the interests of the people should be in command.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Presidential candidate Joko Widodo delivers a political speech during the last day of campaigning at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Saturday (13/4/2019). The campaign titled "United White Concert People's General Meeting" was attended by thousands of people who filled the GBK Stadium and the surrounding area.

The difference in the electability of political parties in the top three positions, namely the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Gerindra Party (Gerindra) and the Democratic Party (Democrats), is getting narrower about 1.5 years before the 2024 General Election. PDI-P is in first position with an electability of 21.1 percent. Gerindra is in second place with 16.2 percent and the Democrats place third with 14 percent.

Despite attaining the top place in electability surveys, the PDI-P figure this time falls slightly by 1.7 percent compared to the June 2022 survey. The gap between PDI-P and parties in second and third positions also narrows. Gerindra gets 16.2 percent, up 3.7 percent from June 2022. Democrats win 14 percent, up 2.4 percent.

Also read:

> PDI-P, Gerindra and Democrats still on Top

> Competition Between Political Parties Heats Up

Next in position are Golkar Party (Golkar), Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), National Awakening Party (PKB), Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo), Nasdem Party (Nasdem), National Mandate Party (PAN) and United Development Party (PPP). Respondents who have not yet made a choice have also thinned to around 12 percent, from 16 percent in June 2022.

According to this survey, the level of party choice volatility tends to increase. The nine parties in the House of Representatives (DPR) have the potential to face an average voter shift of 35.9 percent. Loyalty can drop again by an average of 21 percent if the figure of the presidential candidate being promoted is not liked (Kompas, 25/10/2022).

MARINA EKATARI

According to the results of the Kompas Research and Development survey, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, and Prabowo Subianto, still occupy the top positions.

It is legitimate for political parties to attract the sympathy of the people, who at the time of the general election will become constituents. Political parties usually try to attract voters through their vision, programs and campaigned figures that will fight for the public interest.

The greater sympathy a political figure inspires, the more votes the political parties will get and the more representatives they can place in the DPR. Politicians are so ambitious in approaching their constituents and leveraging votes that they sometimes exhibit behavior that injures political ethics -- for example, the practice of money politics, as well as black campaigns conducted by spreading hate speech.

Also read:

> Challenging Period

> Public Satisfaction and Trust in Government Declines

The practice of money politics takes advantage of some of the Indonesian population who are classified as poor and on average less educated. The money that is distributed for the sake of gaining votes is like a cooler in the midst of the hardships of life for the poor. The practice of black campaigning takes advantage of people who have minimal literacy so that they swallow information that is actually not accurate.

Politics should be implemented politely and ethically and lead to the interests of the people. Politicians should be aware of that; they have dedicated their lives to the world of politics.

Therefore, all efforts and steps taken by political parties, including approaches to coalitions between political parties, as well as efforts to gain public sympathy, should not be based on personal or group interests. In short, politicians should do politics for the sake of the people.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.