Indonesia’s Jokowi stokes further controversy by declaring presidents ‘can take sides’ in elections

“[Campaigning] is a democratic right. Every minister [has] this same [right]. The president can campaign. The president can take sides. But the most important thing is that during the campaign [we] must not use state facilities,” Widodo told reporters during a handover ceremony of new military transport aircraft to the Indonesian Air Force at Halim Perdanakusumah Air Base in Jakarta.

Prabowo stood next to Widodo while he made his remarks on Wednesday.

Devi Darmawan, a political researcher at the Jakarta-based National Research and Innovation Agency, said Widodo’s statement could further damage his relationship with Megawati Sukarnoputri, the former Indonesian president and chairwoman of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) that Widodo officially belongs to.

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“Elections are not a tool for political elites to perpetuate their power at all costs. In general elections, there are morals and ethics that must be upheld,” Megawati told her assembled party cadres during the convention. “Power does not last … Power will end no matter what position you are in.”

“Among all political party leaders, Megawati has voiced the loudest criticism that our democracy is declining [under Jokowi]. She once said that the current election resembles elections during the New Order,” Devi said, referring to the 32 years of Suharto’s dictatorship, during which elections were manipulated to maintain the strongman’s grip.

In recent speeches, Megawati has repeatedly stated her concern over a lack of neutrality among state officials, civil servants, the police, and armed forces.

“This ideological conflict between them, between trying to improve and destroy democracy, is really being played out tactically by Jokowi,” Devi said, using Widodo’s popular nickname. “Is [Jokowi’s statement] a personal attack on Megawati? I don’t know, but it is clear that the impact of this internal conflict will be very big for our nation.”

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Misleading statement

Ari Dwipayana, coordinator of the president’s special staff, clarified Widodo’s statement on Thursday by saying the law does not forbid a sitting Indonesian president from having a preferred candidate or from campaigning for them. He pointed out that former presidents including Megawati and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took part in campaigns for their respective parties when they held public offices.

However, Devi argues that Megawati and Yudhoyono were party leaders at the time and were only allowed to campaign in that capacity, not as presidents.

“Jokowi is not a chairman of any parties, so he is not responsible for the direction and political development of any parties. He is not a participant in the coming election either. So what is his political interest in declaring partiality?” Devi said.

The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation said in a statement on Wednesday that Widodo’s recent statements are “a dangerous and misleading attitude that will damage our democracy and rule of law.”

The foundation referred to an article in the country’s election law that says “state officials … are prohibited from making decisions and/or taking actions that benefit or harm one of the election participants during the campaign period”.

The Association for Elections and Democracy, a non-profit election watchdog, urged the General Election Supervisory Agency “to firmly and responsibly resolve and take action against all forms of non-neutrality and partiality of state apparatus and state officials”.

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Responses also came from the camp of Prabowo’s rival, with presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, a former Jakarta governor who portrays himself as an opposition candidate, saying he was “ready to face” any challenges posed by Widodo, if he does take part in political campaigns.

“I think the public can digest and later weigh these views, because previously what we heard was [that the president would remain] neutral, that he would protect all [candidates’ campaign activities],” Anies said on Wednesday.

Chico Hakim, spokesperson for Ganjar’s campaign, said state officials have not been impartial this election cycle.

“Some ministers use state facilities to get around. They [politicise] social assistance [for the poor]. Many authorities also have blatantly committed non-neutrality,” he said, providing an example of how Erick Thohir, the minister of state-owned enterprises, only invited Prabowo, and not the other ministers, to his ministry’s internal Christmas celebration.

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Ministers resigning?

The controversy surrounding Widodo’s remarks also put a spotlight on a widening rift within his own cabinet, with speculation rife in Jakarta that several of his ministers are considering resignation due to the president’s election meddling, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

They include Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.

Mahfud MD, Ganjar’s running mate, also said on Tuesday he plans to resign from his post as coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs “to have more freedom to disclose actual data”, saying it would be more ethical for him to do so if he was not a part of the current administration.

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The cabinet is now divided “based on their political allegiance”, Bloomberg reported.

“Ministers who don’t support Prabowo are turning against the president due to his stance, while others are growing concerned over how Jokowi’s attempt to extend his influence could threaten democracy.”

Last week, Sri Mulyani neither confirmed nor denied the rumours of her resignation, only telling reporters that “she’s working”. Moeldoko, head of the presidential staff office, dismissed the rumour last week, saying that “all ministers work well, and we in the cabinet remain solid in pursuing the development [agenda]”.