Daily News Indonesia – Democracy achieved by the Indonesian people since 1998 in the era of reform is not an easy achievement. The people waited until 32 years, from the time of Bung Karno, until the end of President Soeharto’s power.
There must be substantial gains at least in three objectives. First, to make democracy as a national system to ward off injustice authoritarian system, once for all. Democracy is not limited to procedural business in choosing the leaders.
Second, to restore the nation identity and objectives according to the parameter set up in the Proclamation of August 17, 1945, which is also mandated for future leaders by the founding fathers ” one of them is Mr. A.R. Baswedan, the grandfather of none other than Mr. Anies Rasyid Baswedan, the current Governor of Jakarta.
Third, democracy should be able to address problems in the field of law and justice, as part of necessary people’s political rights and in improving the people s welfare.
There are experts claiming that Indonesia’s democracy after the reforms is getting better. However, not a few are disappointed when democracy is hijacked in the interests and agendas of the oligarch.
It is long way to go because our long run goal is to fill the substance of the democratic format by addressing problems in the field of law and justice, interpreting the Constitution by strengthening people’s political rights and improving welfare.
This is a national goal that answers the question of why we choose a democratic system and the system of communism is not compatible with the Pancasila system, Anies underlined.
Has the goal of democratization been achieved by Indonesia? Anies says not yet. We are still in a long way to go.
Hijacking Democracy
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD observes that 92 percent of the heads of provincial, city and district level governments won the elections with the support of money from the conglomerate political financiers.
This is not an encouraging record. However, when later this figure was corrected to 82 percent by Mahfud, we still consider the phenomenon of structured, systemic and massive frauds in this Republic to be alarming.
Even more frightening is the statement by People s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Mr. Bambang Soesatyo. He stated that about 90 percent of members of the House of Representatives were elected with the financier oligarch money, which in a later stage controls the country through their controlled political parties, only by providing funds of no more than IDR 1 trillion.
“To control Indonesia, there is no need for warships and submarines, but through the control of political parties you can do it. Join each of them at the national conference, engage or approach the prospective candidates, master and use them. The capital to be provided is not expensive, at most is IDR 1 trillion, said Bamsoet, Mr. Bambang Soesatyo’s nickname.
“If the parties are under control, then the oligarch controls parliament, then controls the state. The party that wins the presidential, governors, mayors and regents are eventually not more than their puppets,” added Bamsoet in explaining how the scenario that the oligarch under the instruction of foreign countries, through its proxies, controls the state.
The oligarchs may also consist of ‘black-conglomerates’. Who are the oligarchs?
Nagara Institute Executive Director Akbar Faisal alleged that the 50 richest people in Indonesia mentioned in Forbes magazine have their own political operators in Indonesian politics.
What is the severe impact of hijacking Indonesian democracy?
Not only is the law changed according to the interests of financiers, but also economic policies are also tailored to their economic interests. Later, the orientation in diplomacy and foreign affairs would be directed by the foreign powers. People s destiny would stay the same and never changed.
When politics is hijacked by the conglomerates, people sovereignty ends. Conglomerates determine who will fill legislative seats, the sitting judges and in what cases, even the tendency that all state institutions under their control would become partisans and dictate the most important decisions in the country to support the interests of these oligarchs.
What is the cost? The reduction of national and local budget, the rise of corruption both political corruption and especially corporate corruption, the hijacking of public money in various insurance companies and the use of hajj funds and, the saddest, is the robbing of the wealth of the people land and forestry, marine and mining sectors are clearly the proofs. Eventually, poverty is getting severe and the country’s debt is skyrocketing.
Is there still hope for the country to return to its true identity, in harmony with the spirit of the Proclamation for the benefit of the people, the true owners and the rightful heirs of the country and their future?
A Glimmer of Hopes from Jakarta
The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) has just released the figures of the Indonesian Democracy Index (IDI) in 2020. Based on data, Jakarta Province is ranked number one nationally with an index value of 89.21.
This success makes the DKI Provincial Government again maintain the top position for four consecutive years, since 2017, when Mr. Anies Baswedan was appointed governor of Jakarta. The province with its Ondel-Ondel icon has become the most democratic province in Indonesia.
Head of the National and Political Unitary Agency of Jakarta Province, Mr. Taufan Bakri said, the value of DKI Jakarta IDI in 2020 increased 0.92 points compared to 2019 which amounted to 88.29. Occupying the first position of the most democratic province, then the value of IDI of Jakarta continues to grow, namely from 84.73 in 2017 and 85.08 in 2018.
Governor Anies again brought Jakarta to become the most democratic province for four consecutive years.
Referring to the results of the BPS survey in 2020, Jakarta received an index of 89.21 points based on three aspects of democratic indicators.
The aspect of civil liberties in 2020 of 93.27 points shows that the citizens of the capital under his leadership are increasingly advanced and mature in democracy. The second aspect is political rights by 84.95 points ” up 1.09 points compared to 2019 and falls into the good category. The third, level of democratic institutions is 90.86 points.
In contrast to the previous two aspects, democratic institutions became the only indicator that experienced a decrease in points, namely by 1.03 points but still falls into good category.
The increase in IDI has occurred since Anies Baswedan led the Jakarta Province in 2017. Obviously, it has become phenomenal. At the beginning of his leadership, Jakarta won 84.73 points. That point continues to climb from year to year. It rose to 85.08 in 2018, then reached 88.29 in 2019 and rose again to 89.21 points in 2020.
Anies Strongest Democratic Credentials
Governor Anies Baswedan considers that the achievement of democratic performance can only be realized thanks to the collaboration of all stakeholders and community components who have kept Jakarta conducive and democratic.
In fact, the Ph.D graduate from Illinois, U.S., makes sure to continue to maintain the democratic climate in the capital better. He hopes Jakarta becomes another South-East regional reference in maintaining the atmosphere of democracy.
“We in Jakarta want to continue to keep the climate of freedom of expression alive because this is a democracy and reform carried out by young fighters in 1998. For his spirit we must take care of,” Anies said.
Apparently, the nick of Jakarta’s democracy index that far exceeds the national IDI in 2020, which amounted to 73.66 points, did not make Anies arrogant and complacent. Instead, he is committed to continue to maintain and improve these achievements so that Jakarta becomes an example of other regions in Indonesia.
Democracy is a Constitutional Mission
Anies says, implementing constitutional orders has four objectives, namely advancing the general welfare, educating the life of the nation, protecting every citizen and also being actively involved on a global scale.
If Mr. Bambang Soesatyo calls on young people to participate fully in elections to prevent oligarchs and ‘conglomerates’ from hijacking the country, Anies put more emphasis on the importance of renewal of mindset and way of thinking of the younger generation who hold the country in the future.
He who belongs to the past, he is then actually old. However, if what is discussed is his future then he is actually still young. And, if he thinks about the future he is actually young,” Anies said while giving a speech at the launch of Youth Institute of Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), as well as commemorating Youth Pledge Day, broadcasted through YouTube and quoted by KBA News on Thursday, October 28, 2021.
Anies called for the youth to start preparing and training seriously. “It is self-preparation and training should be a serious concern, young people may choose in any field, he said.
According to Anies, there are three arenas to prepare the future national leaders in economic field, the public policy and the political sphere, and the civil society activities to build their awareness of the necessity to fight for the nation destiny.
This is exactly what Anies has done when initiating the ‘Indonesian Teaching Movement’ to realize that this nation “especially the unfortunate ” which are still lagging behind.
“For anyone who wants to take the chosen path, of course, there must be preparation and training. I think it is a very important element necessary in their experience is to join the activities of an organization,” Anies observes.
He encourages young people to enter politics and emphasized that politics is not merely talking about power.
The youth mission, Anies said, is to carry out constitutional orders with four objectives, namely advancing the general welfare, educating the life of the nation, protecting the motherland and also being actively involved on a global scale.
“Four state goals, four promises of independence, it must be understood and then have enough intellectual capacity to be able to translate them in the form of policies, proposals, and program,” he said.
Entering the world of politics can bring technocratic mission and policy. He stressed that, in politics, integrity must be emphasized.
“Because the challenges facing Indonesia are quite serious today, we are still in a phase where democracy and the decision-making are side by side, inter-related with potential of imperfect rudimentary governance,” Anies concluded.
Taking Care of a Heavily Achieved Democracy
During his four years leading Jakarta, Anies Baswedan was relatively successful in maintaining the democratic climate in the capital. Democracy requires a strong commitment, values of honesty, tolerance and space for differences. All of this can only be guaranteed by the authority holder with a public policy that fosters a feeling of equality among people from different parties.
He is successful in transforming Jakarta as the most democratic province for four consecutive years based on BPS data in 2020.
“If the authority holder fails to take care of democracy, people’s lives will be much more chaotic, distress, uneasy and not peaceful,” Anies was quoted as saying.
For Anies, maintaining the democratic climate properly is by listening and responding to every aspiration of the people. Every demand must be responded in the right manner. Different views should be respected as legitimate voice of the people. These will encourage equality among the people.
If aspirations are responded, there is certainly a necessity in the substance. However, the space for these aspirations is open. We must also realize that policies and politics often carry an element of sensitivity. Therefore, we must keep dialogue, to maintain conducive climate to the dialogue and to remain calm in orderly manner,” he stressed.
In addition, democracy must foster participation from all parties. This is exemplified by decision making, starting from the smallest unit level of government, all by doing deliberation and direct interaction with the community.
The hope, of course, is to make no demands are unanswered or unresolved. Problems can be responded to quickly and the feeling of equality can be strengthened among the citizens of the capital.
Anies said, the form of efforts to care for democracy can be seen from the efforts by his administration to present equal public space and treatment. He exemplifies the development of public transportation and parks, which, according to him, can give the feelings of equality among all citizens. This will also lead to the growth of a democratic city.
“We see transportation not only as a means of physical movement, but a tool of creating sense of equality. In this case, there is no exclusive treatment. All get comfortable facilities regardless of their background. Likewise in the park, everyone from different economic and social states can gather there without any barriers,” he said.
Anies finally states his full commitment to continue to ensure the democratic climate remains conducive in the capital city of Jakarta.
Criticism and Bullying are Vitamins
Criticism and bullying are incessantly carried out by various parties who do not like the performance of Governor Anies Baswedan in Jakarta. Even more often, criticism and bullying are not substantive and founded.
However, Anies is convinces it is part of control of the democratic means.
Recently, for example, Acting Chairman of Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI) Mr. Giring Ganesha accused Anies of being a ‘liar’ and pretended to not care about the people suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Governor Anies Baswedan is not an example of a person who can overcome a crisis. The main indicator in assessing the failure of Governor Anies Baswedan is to see how the Governor of Jakarta spends people’s money during the pandemic,” Giring said.
He also accused the huge budget of the Jakarta Province Anies spent for his 2024 presidential ambition. Anies is also considered to ignore the public’s insistence to cancel the plan to hold Formula E electric car race in Jakarta.
“The down payment and bank guarantee for the implementation of Formula E car racing was paid by Anies at the time the government officially declared the country in a state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That much public money was spent by Governor Anies Baswedan amid the suffering of people who were sick, died and their lives were difficult because of the pandemic,” Giring claimed.
“Pretending to care is Anies Baswedan’s lie in the midst of a pandemic and the suffering of the people. The track record of this liar must be remembered as a consideration when the presidential election is 2024. Do not let Indonesia fall into the hands of liars. Do not let Indonesia fall into the hands of Anies Baswedan,” he said.
Giring’s unsubstantiated accusations then invited the uneasiness attention of many political parties. One of them from the Chairman of National Mandate Party (PAN) DKI Jakarta Eko Hendro Purnomo, popularly called Eko Patrio. He asked Giring not to attack Anies in person.
“If for example Anies had a problem, from the beginning he must have been punished in either criminal or civil court. But, until now he remains quiet, meaning there is no problem, it’s none,” said Mr Eko.
He describes the successful achievements of vaccination in Jakarta by Governor Anies as a show in point. According to him, the achievement of vaccination in Jakarta is top among all provinces in Indonesia.
The handling of Corona pandemic in Jakarta is better, because Jakarta has enough vaccine stocks. He proves he does not have problem with the support of the central government and so on, with other regions are still lack of vaccines, and Jakarta almost completes its vaccination. Therefore, Jakarta is number one nationally,” he said.
Anies said, he would not answer the criticism and bullying with words, but with real works.
On the campaign promises, the former Rector of Paramadina University confirms that he will complete campaign promises in his five years of leadership in the Jakarta Provincial Government.
“Five years’ promises, in God willing, I will keep my promise. It is the means to reply the criticism and concerns with real work. I will respond it with my works. People will judge by themselves whether promises responded satisfactorily or not,” Anies added.
“Look at our vision, we want to make the city advanced, sustainable that builds welfare and justice. What wants to be built in Jakarta is civility, in which its derivatives could be seen and visible. Our target is to solve all existing problems by providing the right and proper solution,” Anies explained.
Not Losing in Dignity and Not Be Flattered
Receiving bullying, insults and slander accusations from irritated group of people, Anies remains unbudging. These counter-productive attacks even elevate Anies fame. His name is increasingly skyrocketing as top contender to replace President Joko Widodo in 2024 elections.
In the course of receiving onslaughts from all angles, Anies, however is getting more popular and his electability is rising, instead of campaigning the 2024 presidential election in billboards.
In fact, Anies with strong supporters is not unable to fill the corners of the city with billboards with a diverse tagline. But, he rejected this idea.
Anies would prefer to spend his time and energy helping citizens of the capital, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic as it is now. As a result, the Covid-19 case in Jakarta is flattened.
It seems Anies still wants to focus on completing his political promises for the rest of his terms as governor. He avoids being trapped with the issues of the presidential election. He argues that the time for elections is still long enough, about two years away.
But still, the accusations are ceaseless. While Anies is doing his works according to his political campaign promises, for the buzzers and critics they are meaningless.
Anies would not spend his precious time to dampen their hatred of him. He would prefer to focus his works for the benefit of his own people of Jakarta.
This is where Anies’ advantage is. This man remains smiling and unreactive when criticized. Against various accusations and scorned, he is silent. His motto: scorned he would not lose dignity, praised he would not be flattered.
This was as if it had become Anies’ mantra facing every attack. And as it turns out, this motto is effective in appealing the public sympathy. Because Anies does it naturally and normally, then everything goes instinctively.
Apparently, Anies has realized that the consequences of being a leader must be ready to be criticized, even be scolded. If a person is no ready to accept severe criticism, he would not be ready to become a leader.
He would not report to the law enforcement institutions if he is scolded or defamed, for the reasons that this would discourage people to be critical.
Democracy without criticisms would not prevail and this, in turn, would be the state of democratic crisis. Another risk is that democracy would be without sparring partners. This condition is not healthy in the development of the nation in all fields. Anies fully realizes it.
A barking dog never bites. This popular saying seems to be what Anies applied in leading Jakarta. As long as you can focus on your work, then any form of bullying or criticism would serve as your lullaby and dreams during the night time.
Still Anies does not budge. And, God sees the patience “not of his arrogance of a leader is in him. (kba)
Discussion about this post