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Commentary: The Donald and the absurdity of Indonesian politics
At first it was funny, but then just sad
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t first it was funny, but then just sad. That's pretty much how many Indonesians felt when they saw pictures of politicians Fadli Zon and Setya Novanto at a press conference held last week by American presidential hopeful Donald Trump.
It was hilarious because it was so unreal. First, how did they get there, and why? Of all the places to visit in New York, why choose Trump's campaign headquarters? Second, what's with the star-struck faces? Couldn't they play it a little cooler? It's Donald Trump, for heaven's sake ' not Elvis! Third, did Setya really say Indonesians 'highly' like Trump?
It was, without doubt, a comic scene. But these men are no ordinary men. They are elected representatives of the people, the wakil rakyat. As much as you hate them, their views and their creepy hairstyles, they still represent you.
So when they do something silly overseas, and say something on your behalf that is totally not true, it's not funny anymore. You have every reason to be mad. But then you realize: Indonesian politics just makes no sense.
Many countries claim their politicians are the worst. But Indonesian politicians have displayed a level of absurdity that would mystify even the Donald.
On Sept. 2, the National Mandate Party (PAN) announced it had joined the ruling Great Indonesia Coalition (KIH). Many were surprised and analysts swiftly offered their two cents on what it meant for the shaky government of President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo. But the next day, a bombshell was dropped: The party explained that while it had officially joined the ruling coalition, it was also still part of the opposition camp led by Jokowi's nemesis, Prabowo Subianto.
So PAN is now dating Jokowi, but it's not breaking up with Prabowo. It's pretty much like a sappy Korean drama, with all the intrigues and surprises, the complex love triangles, though minus the pretty faces.
This is why it's so easy for Fadli and Setya to say that there is nothing controversial or embarrassing about them visiting the Trump Tower and telling the whole world that Indonesians love Donald Trump, totally disregarding the fact that some Indonesians, me included, actually like Deez Nuts better.
Fadli said he and his colleagues had attended Trump's press conference ' on a junket obviously paid for with taxpayers' cash ' because the US mogul invested in Indonesia, insisting that their presence should not be taken as a an endorsement of the aspiring Republican candidate. The House deputy speaker added, as quoted by Business Insider, that, 'I think he is also very famous with his show and, of course, Indonesian people, when they talk about a millionaire or billionaire, what will pop up in their minds first is Donald Trump.'
Trump is definitely not the only American investor in Indonesia and the fact that he's famous does not make him more important than others. Meeting him for lunch or dinner is fine, but attending a press conference where he pledges allegiance to an American opposition party as part of his presidential bid is an entirely different thing.
But when did Indonesian politics ever make sense? It is notorious for its dark power play. We still do not know what exactly happened in 1965 when junior military officers kidnapped and murdered six Army generals to prevent a coup against then president Sukarno. Even the more recent 1998 riot, which brought about the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of people, is still shrouded in mystery.
These days, Twitter and other social media outlets are replete with rumors, 'leaks' or 'insiders' insights' on what is happening behind the scenes in Indonesian politics, which has long been compared to a wayang (shadow puppet) show. After reformasi, even after Jokowi, the old guard remains the dalang or puppet master, controlling the 'reformists'.
With Jokowi as President struggling just to get a grip on his own administration ' under pressure from his own political party, his coalition partners and even his Vice President ' while trying to tame the hostile powers within the opposition-dominated House of Representatives, the political stage is set for dirty, chaotic and convoluted plots.
For those who are not politically savvy, or simply allergic to politics, this is merely another reason to be politically apathetic. Setya and Fadli's gaffe seems so dispiriting because we know that it will end up as an object of mockery on the walls of our social media, in our tragicomedy, where every five years such politicians will be elected again.
This is not what we had in mind when we took to the streets and toppled Soeharto and embraced democracy 17 years ago. But what can we do?
As French philosopher Joseph de Maistre said, 'Every nation has the government it deserves'. Or, 'In a democracy, people get the leaders they deserve.' A hackneyed quote ' but one which resonates loudly with how we look at our politics today.
Maistre may be wrong. But don't you wish one day we could quote him again, but with a more optimistic tone?
