8-3-2024 (JAKARTA) The corridors of power in Indonesia’s capital are abuzz with controversy as a proposed legislative amendment threatens to upend the city’s democratic processes. The contentious Bill, currently under deliberation by the Indonesian Parliament, seeks to abolish the five-yearly elections for Jakarta’s governor, instead mandating the incumbent president to appoint the capital’s chief executive after consulting lawmakers.
If ratified into law, Jakarta would join the ranks of Yogyakarta, where the sultan serves as the ex officio governor, and the new administrative capital Nusantara, in East Kalimantan, where the head of the special region is presidentially appointed. This move has sparked outcry from analysts and watchdogs alike, who warn of a potential erosion of the nation’s democratic foundations.
Titi Anggraini, the director of elections watchdog Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem), has voiced her staunch opposition to the proposal, dubbing it a “retreat from democracy.” She argues that the voices of those who wish to preserve Jakarta’s elections have not been adequately heard, cautioning that a crisis of trust could ensue if the Parliament’s actions defy the will of the people. Anggraini further asserts that the government’s and Parliament’s commitment to democratic principles is being put to the test.
Former coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, Mahfud MD, has called upon the public to closely monitor the deliberations surrounding the Jakarta Bill. He argues that the law’s potential for misuse is high if passed, stating, “We have to reject this… It is another trick to meddle (in the process of selecting leaders).” Mahfud, who served as the running mate of presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo in the recent February 14 elections, was alluding to claims that incumbent President Joko Widodo had influenced the outcome of the polls.
Political analyst Dimas Nugroho acknowledges that an appointed government for Jakarta might have made sense when it served as Indonesia’s administrative capital, as it would have facilitated easier central administration. However, he contends, “Now, there is no reason for an appointed government for Jakarta, a city with a socially and politically mature population.” Nugroho further asserts that Jakarta should continue to play its role in showcasing Indonesia as an open and democratic society.
Proponents of the Bill have argued that direct appointments would save the costs associated with holding an election, contending that democracy should not be cost-unfriendly. However, this rationale has done little to quell the growing opposition to the proposed legislation.
The controversy surrounding the Bill comes ahead of elections for the leaders of Indonesia’s 37 provinces and 508 cities and regencies, scheduled for November 27. The Bill is expected to be decided within the current Parliament sitting, which concludes in October, with a simple majority required for ratification.
Academic-turned-entrepreneur Nasir Tamara warns that without elections, Jakarta may be governed by a bureaucrat, potentially lacking the dynamism and innovation of someone from the private sector. “Jakarta will remain Indonesia’s financial and industrial centre. Elections would produce a better leader for Jakarta who is likely from the private sector and who understands entrepreneurship,” he asserts.
Tamara notes that the two most popular candidates for the gubernatorial race are former West Java governor and trained architect Ridwan Kamil, and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, who previously served as a private university rector and was a presidential candidate in the February 14 polls.
The proposed Bill also introduces a new board to oversee town councils and coordinate urban development in Jakarta and its neighbouring cities and districts, to be led by the vice-president. Critics like political analyst Musni Umar speculate that this board could provide a platform for President Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to launch his political career, while an appointed governor post may stave off potential challengers like Anies Baswedan.
Allegations abound that these moves are part of Widodo’s alleged plan to establish a political dynasty, despite the uncertainty surrounding his influence once he steps down in October. However, Ari Dwipayana, the coordinator of the Indonesian President’s special staff, has dismissed any suggestion that Widodo is behind the Bill, stating that the proposal originated within Parliament, not the government.
As the debate rages on, the fate of Jakarta’s democratic processes hangs in the balance, with proponents and critics locked in a heated battle over the preservation of the city’s electoral traditions. The outcome of these deliberations will undoubtedly shape the future of governance in Indonesia’s capital, with far-reaching implications for the nation’s democratic trajectory.
