Jakarta: As the leader of Indonesia for almost ten years, Joko Widodo has been accused of manipulating the country’s nepotistic political system in order to establish his own political dynasty in the run-up to next month’s presidential election.
Despite being unable to run for a third term, the current president is still incredibly popular. Some have noticed that he is using his power to promote his sons to high positions in politics, which has caused some concern in the nation of islands.
Last year, his eldest son was selected to run alongside front-runner and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as Indonesia’s youngest-ever vice presidential candidate.
“This is clearly a political dynasty in the making,” stated Made Supriatma, a political scientist at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
Following the controversial verdict in October by chief judge Anwar Usman, who happens to be Widodo’s brother-in-law, decreasing the minimum age for candidates, 36-year-old Surakarta city mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka was named Prabowo’s running mate.
Despite having no prior experience, Widodo’s youngest son has likewise climbed to the position of chairman of a political party.
They have benefited from Widodo’s popularity, as seen by recent polls showing that over 75% of Indonesians support his leadership. Widodo came from modest origins to the top political position.
Despite charges that he is undermining democratic advances since Southeast Asia’s largest economy emerged from authoritarianism in the late 1990s, it has given him disproportionate influence over the February 14 vote.
Prabowo’s campaign has gained momentum with that sheen and Widodo junior at his side.
In a recent Indikator Politik Indonesia survey, the 72-year-old defense chief—who has faced defeat twice—scored 45.8%, more than 20 points ahead of his closest competitor, former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan.
The fact that Widodo has not supported the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) nominee, former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, who is currently third in the polls, is even more infuriating.
But despite his son becoming the youngest vice president in Indonesian history, Widodo has declared he will remain neutral and back every contender.
He stated in October to “just leave it to the people.”
However, there are concerns that his activities indicate he is attempting to maintain his power in Indonesian politics, which have been dominated by dynastic elites since the overthrow of dictator Suharto.
“It’s clear that there have been extensive interventions. Jokowi is involved. Jokowi’s downfall is certain if they (Prabowo-Gibran) lose, according to Supriatma.
“The only option is to win.”
Megawati Sukarnoputri, the head of the PDI-P party, is the daughter of Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, and Prabowo is the former son-in-law of Suharto.
Widodo defended his defense minister following the second presidential debate on January 7, during which Anies accused Prabowo of owning a large tract of land in Borneo close to the upcoming Nusantara, the new capital of Indonesia.
“Attacking a personal matter that has nothing to do with the context of last night’s debate, which was international relations, geopolitics, defence,” he stated to reporters.
“I believe it’s not very educative for the public and audience.”
