Politics of Collusion and Nepotism

Corruption is indeed dangerous, but the practice of collusion and nepotism is very clear and we must not remain silent.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Politik Kolusi dan Nepotisme

Many recent statements regarding dynastic politics actually distance them from the real political issue, namely the ideals of reform. Currently, what is happening in Indonesia is practices of collusion and nepotism which are taking place clearly in front of our eyes.

One of the ideals of 1998 Reform is to eliminate corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) and it seems that Indonesian officials are only focusing on eradicating corruption—which is still widespread—but forgetting that collusion and nepotism must also receive attention.

Ahead of the presidential and vice presidential nominations, we were recently presented with drama from the family of President Joko Widodo. His youngest child can become chairman of a political party after two days of registering to become a member of the party. Then, The Constitutional Court (MK) provided the "red carpet" for the president's eldest child to become vice presidential candidate by changing the law that regulated the age of candidates who previously had to be at least 40 years old. Of course, the aspect of one of the judges at the Constitutional Court being a relative of the president makes this state institution not impartial. It is not surprising that in the end the president's eldest son became the vice presidential candidate for one of the political parties.

Of course, the backgrounds of the political parties of these candidates are also questioned. How can a political party propose a presidential candidate, but have a cadre who becomes the vice presidential candidate of another party? Will this divide the voters' voices? Then what happens to the political party's cadre system? And what about the rampant discourse about political dynasties?

Also read: Indonesia "Emergency" Conflict of Interest

Indonesian society, especially the younger generation, is presented with practices of political collusion and nepotism plainly. Entering the political field can be done instantly as long as (family) members of (national) officials support it. Becoming a party member is also easy as long as it comes from a certain family, even without capacity. Party cadreship or having a position in a party or government can be easily arranged, again as long as you are supported by (or close to) local party officials. Especially if you have a large capital or funds. Even laws can be changed and interpreted to perpetuate the path to political power, if there are family officials.

All of these possibilities are viable, but they clearly demonstrate the rampant practice of collusion and nepotism. Unfortunately, these activities are not only supported by certain groups of people, but they are even backed by some political parties and governmental institutions, including at least the executive and judicial branches.

Will we as ordinary citizens just remain silent? It is true that we can choose those candidates in the upcoming election. However, candidates obtained from the practices of collusion and nepotism, those who are not from the party cadres themselves, not from work achievements, chosen based on popularity of family names, it feels incompatible with the current era of democracy and open globalization.

Especially since our voices are only meaningful and valued every five years, that is a long time to remain silent about the corrupt practices of collusion and nepotism that occur. Especially when it was the goal of reform that apparently has seen no change after 25 years.

What is dynastic politics?

Dynasty politics is more commonly known in the United States where many in a family hold political positions even across multiple generations. Names such as the Kennedy, Huntington, Roosevelt, and even Bush families are well known for their political roles both locally and nationally, from siblings and in-laws to cousins. In the Philippines (or a country near the US) it is also the same, with families such as Marcos, Aquino, Binay, Macapagal, and even Duterte known for their political dynasties.

In Indonesia, the practice of political dynasty actually exists in Banten, where siblings, mothers, husbands, children, and in-laws hold many positions in local government. This family is also vulnerable to corrupt practices and it seems that corruption is feared to occur when there is a political dynasty. However, it is clear that although corruption is dangerous, instances of collusion and nepotism are clearly visible and we must not remain silent.

At the national level, the families of Soekarno and Soeharto still receive attention from the Indonesian society, but it seems that they have not formed a political dynasty like in Banten. If a family where the father, son, and son-in-law hold political positions, it might not have formed a dynasty yet (although it may lead to that direction if continued), but it's clear that they practice collusion and nepotism.

At the national level, the families of Soekarno and Soeharto still receive attention from the Indonesian public, but it seems that they have not formed a political dynasty like in Banten.

Cadre formation of political parties

Cadre succession does not seem to be happening within political parties. Ideally, someone who is interested in politics should join a party of their choice, understand the party's ideology, and learn how to apply party values in everyday life for a certain period of time. This is where the role of political parties is needed to provide political training and constituent relations with its members, even if they do not hold public positions. After some time, the cadre can then participate in general elections, ideally at the district/city level, then progress to the provincial level before reaching the national level. Ideally, to become a member of a political party, one should pay a membership fee to obtain a membership card.

However, in Indonesia it is different. Anyone who has financial capital or is nationally known, whether it be an artist or the son or daughter of a political party leader, former president, public officials, a spouse of a regional official, or a nationally recognized figure, will start to create commotion before the election: either by becoming a member of a certain political party or by getting closer to important figures in the decision-making process of legislative candidates or regional heads. Please note that I have kept the words "PBB", "PKS", and "PPP" in the original Indonesian, as they are on the list of forbidden words.

The vision, mission, and party programs are no different from one political party to another. Only promises are highlighted. It's no wonder that someone can instantly become a public official and hold a position despite just joining a political party. There are many examples, especially from national artists and celebrities.

KOMPAS/NIKOLAUS HARBOWO

The aspiring celebrity legislative candidates who will run in the 2024 Legislative Election presented their ideas in front of reporters at the Senayan Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (11/7/2023).

So, the submission of political candidates for the positions of presidential/cawapres and legislative candidates at both national and regional levels still uses the idol selection system or "beauty" stage. In fact, heads of political parties who are not popular enough know themselves not to run for president. This is what Max Weber (1864-1920) said, that political parties become like position hunters who rely more on votes to obtain positions or government officials and financial gain rather than being a voice for the aspirations of the people.

Here's the translation of the article: This is the political anomaly in the homeland that besides political parties are very eager to hunt for power, by nominating presidential candidates based on idol selection models rather than innovative party programs - such as achieving carbon neutrality, tax handling, and education direction - parties also show that there is no effective party cadreship and the sacred position of party leaders does not contribute to regeneration. There are no efforts to produce young leaders who are gained from achievements and not just from Jakarta or Java Island.

If the practice of collusion and nepotism continues and the process of political party cadre development stalls, it will impede Indonesia's efforts to move forward.

This can later result in extreme differences in returning voters, who like or dislike certain presidential candidates fanatically and excessively. We learned from the presidential election a decade ago, the division of Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto's camps and fans, and even though these two political elites already sit in the same government, the differences in choices that occur in society still occur.

Reform ideals

Many parties want the Indonesian people to be united again. In this era of technology and visual politics, we do not want Indonesian democracy to become "mediacracy," which is an expression that describes the formation of politics by politicians and government that "manipulate" the voices of voters with mere appearance and presentation of media (social) (John Keane, 2013). Moreover, popular presidential candidates often emerge here as a result of their very active presence in social media, national stages, and political surveys, rather than from real work that has an impact on the people.

This is where political transparency is needed even though there is ambiguity that people who report the government can also be subject to sanctions. So, the role of the media and the DPR, as members of parliament representing the people, is very important here. Because democracy will work best in a process that is not rushed. DPR members need to deliberate together openly—of course with members who really know the conditions in their constituencies—and with neutral and intelligent media to report it.

Also read: Dialectics in Politics

Max Weber once stated that "politics is a job (politics as a vocation), so political activity must be meaningful for society at large. However, more importantly, the candidates chosen are not obtained from the practice of collusion and nepotism . This is a reform ideal that we have not yet realized.

It is not just a matter of arguing about political dynasties and the people's only duty being to vote in the upcoming elections (and only once every five years), but the practice of (corruption), collusion, and nepotism that has marred the ideals of Indonesia's reform must be eradicated. If the practices of collusion and nepotism persist, and the political party cadre process stagnates, it will hinder Indonesia's efforts to progress and create opportunities for competent and skilled individuals in government.

Ratih D Adiputri, Lecturer in Social and Political Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland

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