Now that die-hard supporters of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo are calling for their idol to continue leading the country for another five-year tenure through a Constitutional amendment, I warn the President against emulating Soeharto. The very same individuals who cheerfully applauded Soeharto’s reelection on March 11, 1998, came to his house a week later and told him he “should go”.

The same fate could befall Jokowi, even before he accepts the tempting appeal to hold on to power. He has repeatedly denied his intention to amend the Constitution in order to allow him to bid for a third term.

I remember when Camdessus arrived at Soeharto’s private residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Jan. 15, 1998, the then-president directly ushered his French guest to the living room. A moment later, Soeharto sat in front of a table and was ready to sign the Letter of Intent as part of the IMF’s US$43 billion bailout package for Indonesia.

Camdessus was standing and staring at Soeharto with both his arms folded when Soeharto signed the LoI to implement a 50-point economic reform package, including the abolition of the monopoly of clove trade controlled by his youngest son Hutomo “Tommy” Mandala Putra. According to the IMF, ”the sale and transport of cloves, across district and provincial boundaries were completely freed. Buyers, traders and factories are now free to buy, sell and transport cloves at unrestricted prices.”

A picture of Soeharto signing the LoI under the close watch of Camdessus appeared on the front page of all national newspapers, including The Jakarta Post, and quickly provoked nationwide anger — as if the pride of the nation was severely hurt.

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