Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidate Pairs Should Complement Each Other
The interests of the nation and state must be prioritized so that candidates with a good track record and with problem-solving skills will emerge.
President Joko Widodo
To allow the nation to progress, presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs need to complement each other in their work and abilities.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Amid upcoming socioeconomic challenges, Indonesia needs presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs as well as a coalition of political parties that complement each other. Not only must they complement each other in their work and abilities but they must also have good character.
By complementing each other, the government that will be formed will be able to consolidate and unite all forces to spur the nation’s progress.
During a special interview at Bogor Palace in West Java on Thursday (11/3/2022), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that he would not be the one to decide which presidential and vice presidential candidates will succeed his leadership. This decision will be made by a political party or a group of political parties. “Most importantly, I hope that parties will make a wise decision. Later, the people must also be wise in electing the most appropriate [leader],” said President Jokowi.
Experience was not lacking and yet a wrong tax-cut policy led the pound sterling to fall and pension funds to bleed.
The most appropriate candidate for leadership, explained the President, is someone that not only understands macro and micro issues but is also able to work in detail, is experienced and understands data and what is in the field before decision-making. “In an atypical situation, people with experience still make mistakes," said the President.
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Not too long
When asked about the right time for political parties to make a decision, considering that the registration period for presidential and vice presidential candidates will begin on October 19, 2023, President Jokowi replied, “The decision remains with political parties. They need to be careful and make a thorough decision, but they must not take too long either so that the people can be the judge first.”
Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo Subianto and Anies Baswedan.
Regarding the three figures that topped a recent Kompas survey, namely Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo Subianto and Anies Baswedan, the President said, “it is not clear yet. Only later, when a candidate is nominated by a party or a group of parties, will we comment.”
Various responses
Political parties have responded to President Jokowi’s message in various ways. Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) spokesman Muhammad Kholid said that the message conveyed by President Jokowi targeted political parties. “We’re not fighting over a race to victory. We must provide the best presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs for the nation. With the intention to be more thorough, the PKS, along with the NasDem Party and the Democratic Party, formed a small team to plan the format and substance of an alliance,” said Kholid.
Head of the Democratic Party central executive board’s strategic communications agency, Herzaky Mahendra Putra, added that his party would be more careful and thorough in determining the presidential and vice presidential candidates it would nominate. The same was said for political parties in their alliance. “It is natural for the President to provide his input, but every political party has its independence. Hence, we will decide who the best presidential and vice presidential candidates are,” said Herzaky.
United Development Party (PPP) central executive board chairman Achmad Baidowi, said that his party would pay close attention to political dynamics, including potential figures that the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) could nominate. “When the President said we shouldn’t take too long [to nominate a candidate pair], he meant not too far from the registration period. Thus, it is possible that the KIB will announce its nominated candidate pair next year,” said Baidowi.
In terms of criteria, the KIB will be looking at integrity, ability and commitment to fight for the people as well as experience in leadership at the House of Representatives and in companies. “The managerial aspect is important. Electability is no less important as well,” said Baidowi.
The candidate pair to be nominated will be declared in due time.
Golkar central executive board deputy chairman Ahmad Doli Kurnia added that the KIB is currently focused on discussing concepts and vision-mission statements. The candidate pair to be nominated will be declared in due time. Previously, Golkar said it would nominate chairman Airlangga Hartarto as its presidential candidate.
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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, on Monday (3/10/2022).
The same was said for the National Mandate Party (PAN). According to PAN secretary-general Eddy Suparno, the President wanted to ensure that political parties adhere to the principle of prudence in nominating candidates. “What was conveyed will be used as a guideline for political parties to adhere to,” said Eddy.
National Awakening Party (PKB) deputy secretary-general Syaiful Huda shared a slightly different opinion. The President’s previous message was conveyed when PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar was invited to the State Palace last week. Huda said that the President handed over the names of the presidential and vice presidential candidates that will be nominated by the PKB-Gerindra alliance.
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general said that President Jokowi, as head of state, would certainly give advice. This will be followed up by the party. “At the moment, the decision [to make a nomination] is still in Bu Mega’s hands,” said Hasto.
Elite statesmanship
A researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) political research center, Wasisto Raharjo Jati, said that the attitudes of statesmanship amongst political party elites is necessary to determine the presidential and vice presidential candidate pair. The public must be able to force political parties to present candidates that are qualified by increasing the narrative of criteria, not just names.
The interests of the nation and state must be prioritized so that candidates with a good track record and with problem-solving skills will emerge.
As a result, it becomes difficult to accommodate the voices of the public that want the best candidate.
Thus far, said Wasisto, presidential and vice presidential candidates have been characterized as top-down, which gives political party elites an important role, with some even having a “veto right.” As a result, it becomes difficult to accommodate the voices of the public that want the best candidate.
Executive director of the Syndicate, Ari Nurcahyo, reminded that political parties must focus on two things: the consolidation of the party in face of the legislative elections and preparations to nominate a presidential and vice presidential candidate pair. Party consolidation is needed to strengthen the pillars of the party in face of the elections.
Executive director of the Syndicate, Ari Nurcahyo
When to announce the nominations must also be considered so that it is not too hasty or delayed. It is hoped that the announcement of nominations will not be counterproductive to the party consolidation process.
Meanwhile, NasDem presidential candidate, Anies Baswedan, visited Medan, North Sumatra. In his speech in front of thousands of his supporters in the Maimun Palace field, Anies conveyed a message of change. (Z13/Z17/SYA/PDS/CAS/JOS/HAR/SUT)
This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.
