A Call to Dare to Speak Up to Fight Dynasty Politics

Political dynasties are not just about family. Dynasty refers to the way of politics during the dynastic era where power was given from generation to generation, not based on capacity.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Seruan Berani Bersuara untuk Melawan Politik Dinasti

KOMPAS/EMANUEL EDI SAPUTRA

A discussion on saving democracy from the grip of oligarchy and political dynasties was held in Jakarta on Tuesday (14/11/2023). Academics, activists, and cultural figures were present in the discussion.

The Constitutional Court's decision regarding the age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates is considered by the public to have opened up space for politics dynasties. The drama reached its peak when Gibran Rakabuming Raka, son of President Joko Widodo, became vice presidential candidate. The public must first have the courage to speak out against dynastic politics in order to save this nation from a democratic recession.

Expert in state law, Bivitri Susanti, during the discussion "Saving Democracy from the Grip of Oligarchy and Political Dynasty", in Jakarta, on Tuesday (11/14/2023), said that in the current situation, the public must have the courage to speak up if they still have a sound mind and conscience. Educated individuals and those with a conscience cannot remain silent.

"Democracy is a matter of accountability. All the 'structures' of the state should be returned to their rightful facts where state institutions are accountable to the citizens," said Bivitri, in a discussion attended by several academics, activists, and cultural figures."

He also emphasized about political dynasty that it is not about family. Dynasty refers to the way of politics during the dynastic era where power is handed down from generation to generation, not based on capacity.

In the current situation, the public must have the courage to speak up if they still have a sound mind and conscience. Educated and conscientious people cannot remain silent.

Therefore, according to Bivitri, democracy needs to be saved. The way to do this is that in the long term there should no longer be a threshold for presidential candidacy. Because, this could make the political system centered on elites. Apart from that, there needs to be clear rules regarding conflicts of interest and changing political parties.

"But, first you have to have the courage to speak out," said Bivitri.

Political expert Ikrar Nusa Bhakti has stated that one important way to save Indonesian democracy is for the public to vote according to their conscience on election day. The public must also be aware that political dynasties are dangerous.

"That will create a new precedent that political dynasties are a common issue. However, dynasties kill the chances for other young people to take on roles in politics," said Ikrar.

Ikrar stated that the privileges given by political parties to the President's children will close the door for young people to work in political parties from the bottom up. Especially those who do not have the power umbrella.

"The thing about political dynasties is that they don't have the nation's and country's interests in mind. What they have in mind is their family and group. If that's the case, it's not impossible that the state's finances will run out to maintain their power," he said.

Dynastic politics is a tragedy for Indonesia's democracy. It is a reversal of the direction of democracy which is only a few steps away from reaching maturity. Ikrar believes that the President has diverted the direction of democracy. Furthermore, it seems that he is indifferent to democracy.

Another way to save Indonesia's democracy is by fixing the shortcomings in legislation and the electoral system. For instance, there should be a law stating that when someone is serving as the president, their offspring cannot be nominated as a candidate for the same position. This is to prevent any misuse of power and the urge to maintain control.

The “lame duck” rule

Constitutional law expert Zainal Arifin Mochtar has assessed that there has been a decrease in the level of "faith" that President Joko Widodo has towards democracy. Even more drastic is the decline that has been observed in his beliefs. The President is also seen as ruining the power of the judiciary institution, namely the Constitutional Court (MK).

If democracy is translated as elites, it is time for the elites to see this as something dangerous and try to unite. A few years ago, it was impossible for the elites to unite because President Joko Widodo held 81 percent of the coalition.

However, now the constellation has changed and the strengths are almost evenly matched. In this current situation, it should be a momentum for political forces to push for a rearrangement and restrict the president's power. This is because the president may use budget politics, for example, by distributing direct cash assistance (BLT).

"The President can be a lame duck in this election because there are absolutely no lame duck rules in Indonesia, which makes the President in a 'lame duck' condition. Because towards the end of his term of office, the President should be a 'lame duck', unable to do anything. "In a number of countries there are regulations so that the President is not a girlfriend," said Zainal.

The public also needs to aggregate awareness to give "punishment". The form is, do not choose people who prioritize dynastic politics or oligarchy. Moving forward, how to encourage public awareness of this.

Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, stated that democracy needs to be saved as political democracy (political freedom) and economic democracy (social justice) are experiencing a recession. Two decades after the important elections of 1999, Indonesian democracy is said to be experiencing a setback.

This is reflected in the mobilization of populism, the development of intolerance, and the growing strength of sectarianism. Furthermore, there is increasing dysfunction of electoral and representative institutions. In addition, there has been a decline in civil liberties, as well as the expansion of authoritarian tools by the executive branch to suppress opposition and limit criticism.

At the end of President Joko Widodo's first term in 2019, Indonesia's democracy has sunk to its lowest point since the end of the New Order. This is due to a regression of democracy from the top, reflected in repressive practices by state institutions to suppress and limit criticism.

Then, the influence of the central government on the regional government becomes stronger. In addition, there has been a decline in the quality of political parties in Indonesia. The regression of democracy from the top is also reflected in the ownership of media which is dominated by political-business elites with connections to the government. Not only that, the long-standing deficiency in the rule of law is exacerbated by the politicization of criminal cases and the weakening of the Corruption Eradication Commission.

Democracy regression also occurs from the bottom. This is reflected in the polarization of civil society in Indonesia and the affirmative stance of the state in applying authoritarian tactics towards their ideological rivals.

Usman further explains that cartelization and oligarchization are the reasons for the recession of democracy. The process of democracy has transformed politics in Indonesia, but it has not changed the oligarchy that operates within the minimalist formal structure of electoral democracy. Indonesia is still dominated by a system of power relations that allows for the concentration of wealth and authority, as well as collective defense.

According to the Democracy Index 2022, Indonesia's democracy performance has remained stagnant in 2022 and 2021, with a score of 6.71 points. However, Indonesia has dropped to rank 54 in the world. Out of the five indicators, the highest score is in the electoral process and pluralism (7.92 points), followed by government function (7.86 points), political participation (7.22 points), and civil liberties (6.18 points). The lowest score is in political culture (4.38 points).

The first step that can be taken to save democracy is to convey the truth. All parties should strive to save this nation from democracy recession. Moreover, with all the symptoms of the 2024 election, there is a great potential for an unfair and dishonest election to occur.

Also read: The Evolution of Political Dynasties and the 2024 Election

"Speak up about political phenomena far and wide, for example in civil society to awaken the power of civil society against this decline," said Usman.

In addition, strengthening regional governance, restoring the trust of law enforcement, and strengthening media independence. Then, strengthening collective action among civil society movements in facing the narrowing space for protests and criticism.