Recently,
with 70% approval rating, Governor Basuki “ Ahok” Purnama loses DKI Jakarta
gubernatorial election to Anies Baswedan, former President Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo’s Minister of National Education. Meritocracy through crowd wisdom seems
not working. Since Jakarta is the barometer Indonesia’s politics, the reasons
must be investigated and the lessons-learned must be taken out.
The background
of this election is the fallout of 2014 presidential election. It is the proxy
war between Prabowo’s camp and President Jokowi’s camp. It is likely the 2019
presidential election will pit both camps too. So this is the warming up.
Indonesia
has been experiencing democracy for 18 years. Win or lose happens in election,
but this time is different. The downgrade of Indonesia’s democracy is seen. Religious
sentiment, instead of merit, emerges as the decisive factor this current
election.
Before
blaming religious sentiment as the culprit, the root of the problem might be at
Governor Ahok’s personality. He fails to understand that politics entails not
only rational but emotional value. Understandably, along with then Governor
Jokowi, he indeed makes Jakarta better with massive infrastructure development,
public service and governing system and this draws national admiration. But then
he becomes over-confident and so naïve.
After
Jokowi being elected as president, Ahok as Governor denied Boy Sadikin, PDI-P
Jakarta chapter leader to be the vice governor. Ahok preferred to be paired by
Jarot Saiful Hidayat, the other PDI-P cadre and former mayor of Blitar. Later,
Boy Sadikin joins Anies Baswedan campaign team. In this gubernatorial election
Ahok, at first, refused to run through political parties which he deemed
corruptive. He would run independently through the support of Teman Ahok
(Friends of Ahok). Only after being convinced by PDI-P chairman, Megawati, and
potential administration problem of collected identity cards, Ahok accepted the
political reality.
Ahok is a
very good governor. Like in welfare state spirit, he arguably takes care of the
Jakartans from cradle to grave. I see Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew in him. But in
doing this, inevitably he must do the unpopular policies, notably eviction of
illegal squatters and legal settlers in the river bank. Indeed he does the
right things. Without these, Jakarta will not lift up itself to world class
metropolis.
Coupled
with his combative demeanor, all these become ammunition for his rivals. Worse,
his gaffe on Quran’s verse on arguably choosing leader in Islam brings him to
court. His opportunist rivals applied the 2000 year-old Sun Tzu’s war strategy:
… attack the opponent’s weaknesses. Furthermore, they relentlessly practice the
end justifies the means. They cannot compete in terms of performance and
achievement, not only Ahok is an incumbent but also a darn good governor.
They take
advantages of barbaric religious sentiment against Governor Ahok through
concerted public protests. Even Anies Baswedan who previously promotes “the
fabric of the nation” seems to tear it down by seeking endorsement from the
hardliners. And his supporters unabashedly threatened Governor Ahok’ deceased
supporters not to perform last rites. This is the catch of Anies Baswedan’s
election win.
Out of 70%
approval rating, Governor Ahok only rakes in approximately 42% of votes. It
means 28% of voters acknowledge Governor Ahok’s good performance but refuse to
re-elect him. Besides Governor’s contentious manner, the only cogent
explanation is that religious sentiment fanned by Governor Ahok’s rivals
successfully changes some voters’ mind. Some Muslims can be convinced even
though in earthly matters such as electing city manager, the religious label
rather than capability determines the choice.
Certainly,
religion is very important factor in personal and public life. However, in
constitution inspired by Pancasila ideology there is no clause or article
hampering any one to assume any public office because of religious identity.
Finally, we
must sincerely accept and fully support Anies Baswedan as governor. The stake
for DKI Jakarta development is too high if we let him fail. Governor Ahok loses
because his unsuitable character and religious sentiment. The latter lower Indonesia’s
democracy standard, jeopardizes nation building and poses threat to national
unity. And because of its effectiveness, I believe, somehow, some will utilize
this sort of strategy as means in the next presidential election.
*****
