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.
Comment:
I
really disagree if Jokowi run for president, because he hasn’t completed the
previous duties as governor of Jakarta. as long as he was governor of Jakarta
has been no change in the expected Jakarta residents. flooding still sweeping
in some areas in Jakarta, there is no treatment or a solution to prevent such
flooding. congestion in Jakarta has been no change to the present. and
manufacture of monorail project was not completed by him.
I
hope Jokowi complete the monorail project , adding capacity TransJakarta and
train cars in order to increase the capacity of people to switch from private
vehicles to transport them. when it is done I think it will reduce the traffic
congestion in Jakarta . I think Jokowi should finish first position and duties
as the governor of Jakarta , after all he had 2 years as governor . I hope
Jokowi should remain the governor to finish his time and make changes to the
Jakarta area and into appropriate community expectations Jakarta .
