Disputes
in democracy
Hyginus Hardoyo ; Senior managing editor of The Jakarta Post
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JAKARTA
POST, 07 Desember 2014
Soon
after the establishment of a presidium to save the rift-plagued Golkar Party,
another presidium emerged in Jakarta to “save” the capital from an anti-Islam
force.
The
hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), with support from the Jakarta
Community Movement (GMJ), founded the so-called Jakarta Savior Presidium on
Monday to oppose Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who was installed as
the capital’s legitimate leader last month.
The FPI
“installed” Fahrurozi Ishak, the coordinator of GMJ, as its choice for
Jakarta governor during its rally outside City Hall. The protesters claimed
Ahok no longer had the authority to govern the capital.
It was
the latest move against Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, who succeeded
Joko “Jokowi” Widodo after the latter assumed the presidency in October.
The
protesters said they hated Ahok because of his outspoken manner, arrogance
and insensitivity toward ethnicity, religion and race. They suspected that
Ahok would promote “Christianization” in Muslim-majority Jakarta.
Ahok
played down the FPI’s move, which has in fact endangered Indonesia’s nature
as a pluralistic nation. Previously, Ahok recommended the dissolution of the
group to the Home Ministry for allegedly violating the Constitution.
While
the noisy FPI will unlikely affect the politics of Jakarta, the presidium
formed by a group of Golkar politicians who oppose incumbent chairman
Aburizal Bakrie may determine the future of the country’s second-largest
party and hence the landscape of national politics.
The
presidium was founded by senior party figures who accused Aburizal of
maneuvering to expedite the party congress only to prevent his contenders
from ousting him.
The rift
between the two camps turned physical as a clash broke out between members of
Golkar’s youth wing at the party’s headquarters in West Jakarta prior to the
congress in Bali.
Despite
the opposition, the congress went ahead untroubled. As expected, Aburizal was
reelected.
Aside
from reelecting Aburizal, the congress also dismissed at least 15 supporters
of the presidium to save the party, which is led by deputy chairman Agung
Laksono. Among them are Priyo Budi Santoso, Agun Gunandjar, Yorrys Reweyai
and Agung.
The
dismissal was announced after mounting demands for the congress to take
action against the party’s “delinquent” members, who according to Aburizal
had demanded something the party could not provide.
The
congress also mandated that Golkar fight it out to reject the government
regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on regional elections, which reinstated
the direct elections of regional leaders.
Golkar
will lead the Red-and-White Coalition, which controls the majority of seats
in the House of Representatives, to realize this goal.
Instead
of healing Golkar’s wounds following double defeats in this year’s national
elections, the Bali congress has escalated internal conflict within the
party. The presidium to save Golkar is now preparing its own version of a
party congress in Jakarta in January next year by inviting all party members,
including those taking part in the Bali congress.
Agung
confirmed that invitation letters would be sent to all party members.
“Please,
chairmen of provincial and district chapters from across Indonesia,
participate in the next congress in January,” he said.
Agung
said the party members had no reason to be afraid of threats and intimidation
from various circles that would sabotage the meeting. The presidium team, he
added, would ensure the safety of each participant. He said the congress
would be held democratically without any pressure.
The
presidium, he said, would elect a young and qualified leader, with proven
dedication and achievements and a clean track record. In other words, the
congress is expected to elect a new, strong leader who will be able to move
the party forward.
After
being criticized for merely building his image through his maritime vision,
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo fulfilled his promise to sink foreign vessels
captured for poaching in Indonesia’s waters. At least three fishing ships
were sunk in Anambas waters, Riau Islands province, on Friday.
Coordinating
Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno said on
Wednesday that the tough measure was expected to show the government’s
determination to fight rampant illegal fishing, which had been left
unaddressed by previous governments.
Tedjo
said the stern action would not disrupt ties with neighboring countries from
which the captured vessels originated, because all actions would be conducted
in line with existing laws.
Data
shows that Indonesia loses around Rp 300 trillion (US$24 billion) annually
from illegal fishing and at least 5,400 illegal ships are believed to operate
in Indonesian waters due to the absence of actions aimed at driving them
away.
The plan
received support from various quarters, including Indonesia’s largest Muslim
organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
“We hope
the government is strict. Don’t let conglomerates, let alone foreign
conglomerates, enjoy the country’s wealth themselves. There are still many
poor people in the country,” NU chairman Said Aqil Siradj said.
Law No. 45/2009 justifies the sinking or burning down of foreign ships
illegally fishing in Indonesian waters. ●
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