For some people, power may be pleasurable so they want it to be extended. In fact, the actual enjoyment is in how to leave that seat of power well with a legacy that benefits all people, the nation and the state.
By
Rizal Sukma
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SALOMO TOBING
Rizal Sukma
Ahead of the speech of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the PDI-P on 10 Jan. 2023, various speculations had developed. A number of politicians indicated that there would be a surprise from Megawati.
Many people thought the surprise would be in the form of an announcement from Megawati regarding the PDI-P’s 2024 presidential. The rumors grew stronger after House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani, who also chairs the PDI-P’s central executive board (DPP), stated that the name of the presidential candidate the PDI-P would back was already in Megawati’s hands (Kompas, 9/1/2023).
However, the PDI-P chair did not announce the party’s presidential candidate. Reactions, suspicions, speculations, and various analyses emerged. For example, some observers suspected Megawati was unable to make a decision. Some even suspected that Megawati herself wanted to be the party’s presidential candidate.
Discussion and debate regarding the PDI-P’s nominee became rife again, even though the election is still a year away. However, everything is of course still mere speculation.
Who and when the PDI-P will announce its presidential candidate is actually not very important at the present time. There are other things that are more important and strategic that have nearly escaped the attention of many parties. Not many observed and appreciated that in her speech, Megawati delivered a very significant and meaningful surprise for the sustainability of democracy and the future of this nation. With a straightforward and brief sentence, Megawati placed herself as a guardian of democracy: "If it's twice, yes, sorry, yes, twice" (Kompas, 10/1/2023).
Megawati's affirmation is important in the context that there is still a narrative and proposal on the demand for more than two presidential terms, exceeding two terms of five years each. This has been suggested by proposing an amendment to the 1945 Constitution to extend the presidential term by 2-3 years after 2024 or postponing the 2024 election.
As Megawati emphasized, the process of building democracy must be carried out in a sustainable and consistent manner.
"If it’s already ahead of the 2024 election, simply carry it out well," she pointed out, adding, "Do we want to test continuously, without an end?"
Megawati's statement that firmly rejected the various proposals to change the duration of the presidential term is also very important in the context of the public anxiety surrounding the recent decline of Indonesian democracy. Those that proposed extending the presidential term seem to have forgotten that limiting the presidential term was key to preventing Indonesia from falling back into authoritarianism. The limits to the presidential term, which was mandated by the 1998 reform movement, was instituted to correct the previous governance model that allowed power to be centralized in only one figure, namely the president.
Megawati understands the importance of limiting the presidential term for democratic life in Indonesia. Megawati, together with Abdurrahman Wahid and Amien Rais, were part of the 1998 prodemocracy struggle, which helped lay the foundations and organize of Indonesian democracy after authoritarianism.
Restrictions on the presidential term, in addition to the agreement on direct presidential elections, are among the most important results of the arrangement. So, it is not surprising that Megawati has been firm about maintaining the results of the democratic struggle and structure.
Democracy fighters will limit power to maintain democracy. Meanwhile, the connoisseurs of democracy are easily tempted to extend power,
We hope that after Megawati’s affirming statement, no one else will pretend ignorance or not be ashamed in continuing the discourse on extending the presidential term. There is no need to look for reasons to justify extending the presidential term.
For some people, power may be pleasurable so they want it to be extended. In fact, the actual enjoyment is in how to leave that seat of power well with a legacy that benefits all people, the nation and the state.
However, sometimes the attitude is very different between the fighters and connoisseurs of democracy. Democracy fighters will limit power to maintain democracy. Meanwhile, the connoisseurs of democracy are easily tempted to extend power, which in turn will be a setback to democracy. Therefore, all elements of society, from politicians, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), religious organizations, media, and to students, need to collectively maintain the democracy that has been fought for with difficulty.
RIZAL SUKMA, Senior researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
