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In this week’s gubernatorial elections there was a lot of choice. Many candidates for a job no one in his right mind would fancy. Why do some people want to run for those public offices?
If you ask candidates most of them will say they want to dedicate their talents and energy to public welfare. In the old days they might have added their inspirational ideological background as a drive. But I can’t remember anyone confessing he or she is just a vain, overambitious person thirsty for power trying to get away from a bad marriage. Which to me all seem to be a perfect legitimate reasons. Not as motive as such but as a tool to turn dreams into reality. A better future for the community. Which is what they usually tell their electorate. They never tell that dream is a better future for themselves and their political friends – which is slightly less legitimate.
Now Joko will be next Jakarta’s governor.
A premature conclusion I admit, but a very likely one. Flying on his reputation of success in Surakarta and his apparently charming communication, he gathered 42% of the votes in last week’s gubernatorial elections. Way over the 33% of his remaining opponent in the final run off. It proved to be a strong ticket – a charismatic mayor and the partner’s ethnic twist.
So, everybody happy?
Joko Widodo and his running mate, Gerindra politician Basuki Tjahaja “Ahok” Purnama, definitely are. But Fauzi and his supporters would of course have preferred a different outcome. And for quite different reasons the people of Surakarta probably will also regret their mayor moves on. But the main thing is that a very significant part of the electorate in Jakarta seemingly has high hopes their new governor will bring about in Jakarta what he in public perception did in his previous job: a safe and clean, well-organized metropolis without flooding but with clean air and smooth running traffic based on first class public transport.
I assume Joko is power-thirsty for the right reasons. Yet there’s his first problem: his is a mission impossible. Under all circumstances. Because Jakarta is not comparable to Surakarta 2012. But especially since Jakarta is not Singapore 1959. Too much vested interests are present and a city state, a de facto dictatorship in a de facto one party system, decades of years ahead and Lee Kuan Yew in the driving seat are lacking. By the way “Singapore” is not a recipe I would recommend to any population whatever the conditions are. The best thing for inhabitants of the capital to do is lower expectations and hope for the best. Reconstruction of a metropolis is due to be a (very) long term tedious, frustrating and fragmented process.
But there”s another problem from the start.
It’s quite possible Joko’s intention is to use his newly acquired substantial power inherent to his public office exclusively for furthering Jakarta’s welfare. But can he? What does he owe some of his major political friends who are big bad bullies from the past ( and, God forbid, in the very near future)? Indonesia’s political industry is all about personalities – ideals and ideology are conspicuously absent. Parties seem to be merely political vehicles for political Godfathers and King-makers. It’s one of the system’s weaknesses in my opinion. And actually Gerindra is one of the two pillars Joko is sitting on. One may wonder what New Order general, Prabowo Subianto wants in return for backing the almost governor elect now.
It’s like an old fashioned Western movie. Will hero Jokowi on the white horse be blackmailed or threatened into steering off the right trail or will he manage to expose the villains on the black horses, restore law and order and head for the shining future on the horizon?
I dread what will happen between now and Sept 20th when the second election is taking place. I’ve already seen black campaign against Jokowi since the quick result was announced.
Chances are, PKS’ votes are going to Foke. Let’s see how dirty Foke will play this one out.
Jokowi are appealing to the courts to argue that a second round of elections are a waste of taxpayer money. Since when has that stopped the political elite and parties?
@ triesti: Negative campaigning and dirty tricks unfortunately are part of the game. But – not burdened by any expertise – I bet 10 – 1 the Jokowi ticket will have it ( the candidate’s popularity and flawless past ( he has done nothing wrong in Jakarta yet (^_-) ), the relative unpopularity of Fauzi whose record can’t disguise the wide gap between his promises and accomplishments, the bandwagon phenomenon and the announced doomed Fauzi strategy to go social media in order to commit middle- and upper-class to his ticket).
@ Mauricio: I read about it and thought it was almost as good satire as the guy who said there is no discrimination in Indonesia against atheists and communists. As much as Jokowi is probably preferable to Fauzi ( the proof will be in the eating of the pudding though), this move shows the short-cuts in their democratic mindset.Tinkering with the rules while the process is still on of course in any democracy should be off limits. The motivation ( saving money) is equally ridiculous as it is hypocritical.
It’s a move I would expect from someone like Prabowo rather than from Joko. And perhaps the bad bully is actually the man behind the move.
I hope he will won the election… I cannot vote due to administration problem despite having jakarta ID card.
@ calvin: You can’t vote? How’s that?? What kind of administration idiocy???
What happened to Calvin happened to a lot of people that I know of who live in what I could say ‘Chinese majority’ areas. I honestly suspect it is part of a systemic way of trying to win the election. At first the KPUD said they wont fixed the list of voters, now they said they will. So, Calvin, make sure you & your family are on the list for Sept 20th. Some people thought it wont affect them what ever the result is, but it will.
I was told even academics at an reputable Islamic univ. are concerned that you-know-who will pay imams to do the black campaign the last Friday before the election day. Throw in ‘liberal’, ‘kafir’, ‘non-muslim’ behind certain candidate name could swing the votes on the day of election. I’ve already heard that they are also paying some churches to get votes, not so sure how that one will work.
@maurice, it wasnt jokowi but 3 citizens who asked for the judicial review, but mahfud has already hinted that it will be 2 rounds. I’m not a lawyer, but jakarta’s election is based on Law from 2007, and the regional election based on Law from 2008 and it’s conflicting. IMHO, the newer should’ve prevailed.
Actually, all these time, it was actually Foke’s campaign that kept talking about 1 round to safe the money.
@ triesti: Good to see you’re still ( again?) pretty committed
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Such treatment of the Chinese community reminds of the way Bush jr’s first campaign tried to exclude black voters in Florida. Scandalous. On the other hand candidates shouldn’t be over-sensitive. Framing is just part of the game. To tell the electorate the opponent isn’t the right person ( not born an American like the birthers say about Obama/Jokowi isn’t a good Muslim)is unfair and outrageous but not serious foul play in the free fight which the elections are – in my opinion.
Joko(wi) is gonna win anyway. He won’t loose a 10% lead over his opponent. No way. But of course Calvin should claim his right to vote in September. A matter of principle.
@colson black campaign is part of the deal… but actually, based on ITE law, some people can get arrested if they are caught spreading certain rumors. thing is, based on my own experience, foul play is a huge thing over here during any election. let’s see which party get what from whom.
I need calvin to vote because I probably wont be able to vote on the second round, so the least I could do is mobilizing people
@ triesti: If Joko(wi) is the right choice, by all means convince Calvin ( and others) to do their duty as a responsible citizen of the republic.
By the way, you won’t be voting in September? Because you will be elsewhere? Some place where it’s cool and green I assume. Where it’s wet inside and outside the pub.And where friends use to have a great time singing and fighting together?
I am only saying this because I majored Political Science in Uni, their choice of shirt reminds me of fido dido.
And fido dido doesn’t even wear tartans.
@ yoaniverse: (*^^)v ! “Jokowi is for Jokowi. Jokowi is against no one”. (That’s a different, original perspective. As well as political satire and self-mockery; ever contemplated to write texts for comedian performers?)
PS: I bet these shirts were meant to stress their image as representatives of common people.