Is jokowi ready for presidency?
Last week, Indonesian
Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri
formally announced the candidacy of Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo for the presidency.
The move was long
anticipated but still drew significant attention, especially given the upcoming
legislative election.
Jokowi adds his name to the growing list of candidates
vying for the highest office in Indonesia, alongside figures such as Prabowo
Subianto, Wiranto and Aburizal Bakrie. Compared
to those senior politicians, Jokowi lacks experience in the national
political arena but he can make up for it with his sheer popularity.
Besides, his track record in running the city of Surakarta,
more popularly known as Solo, and now Jakarta, are impressive.
But is he really ready to become the president of
Indonesia? The governor faces three initial problems in his bid.
First, he has risen to stardom only in the past few years.
Even though he brought change to Solo and, to some extent, Jakarta, his term as
governor of the capital spans less than two years. His programs to free
Jakartans of floods and traffic congestion have not yet generated concrete
results despite media coverage showing otherwise.
Second, the PDI-P’s
nomination of Jokowi is understandable from the party’s point of view — it wants to boost its electability in the legislative
election. However, choosing Jokowi to represent the party may not
necessarily bear the fruit Megawati desires. People tend to not elect those not
committed to his/her mandate. Jokowi has not completed his tenure as Jakarta
governor and now he is aspiring for the presidency.
Third, Jokowi may be a popular public figure, but his
capability in running a nation is untested. He may have proven to be an effective
mayor and governor, but becoming president is a different matter entirely.
A higher position entails bigger responsibilities. Jokowi will be unable to carry out his
trademark blusukan (impromptu visits) if he becomes president, and yet
this is the most unique thing about the Jakarta governor: his ability to
directly intervene or inspect the lowest level of public affairs. With this
in mind, who is to say that Jokowi can lead Indonesia just as effectively as he
leads Jakarta?
If Jokowi is to succeed
in the presidential election, there are two things he must focus on. First,
he must select a vice presidential candidate who shares his vision. The figure
must also be able to complement him and serve as his main supporter. Jokowi’s current deputy in the
capital, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, has so far
has been able to fill this role, but if
Jokowi desires a higher position, he will have to find a replacement just as
fitting.
Second, Jokowi must be
able to convince the general public that he is worthy and capable of becoming
president. Not everyone believes he can do the job, or even merits the
position. His credentials as former mayor and now governor will not be
enough to bring him forward to a higher level and, hence, he must find new
motives to run for the president.
Overall, Jokowi’s
presidential bid may backfire on him and the PDI-P. Becoming president does
not only require popularity, but also commitment and a proven track record.
Ultimately, he may not prove to be as skilled in running
a country as he is in governing the capital. He will need a lot more than fame if he is to succeed in leading a
nation.
KETERENGAN :
PAST TENSE
PRESENT TENSE
FUTURE
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