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Political dynasties, graft leniency loom over 2024 elections
With relatives of sitting lawmakers, political leaders and regional heads, along with former graft convicts, vying for seats in national and local legislatures next year, observers are concerned that Indonesia's democracy is shifting toward political dynasties and a disregard for antigraft values.
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Make the right choice: A man cycles past a board listing Malang Council candidates in 2019 in front of the General Elections Commission's offices in Malang, East Java. (JP/Aman Rochman)
With relatives of sitting lawmakers, political leaders and regional heads, along with at least three dozen former graft convicts, vying for seats in national and local legislatures next year, observers are concerned that Indonesia's democracy is shifting toward political dynasties and a disregard for antigraft values.
According to a report from Tempo done in collaboration with antigraft activist group Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), at least 150 politicians on the General Elections Commission’s (KPU) provisional list of nominees have a kinship with current House members, incumbent or former regional heads as well as political party leaders.
They include Diah “Pinka” Hapsari, the daughter of the House of Representatives speaker Puan Maharani and the granddaughter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri. The PDI-P is also nominating Giri Ramanda Kiemas and Puti Guntur Soekarno, who are Megawati’s nephew and niece.
Giri currently sits on the South Sumatra Legislative Council, while Puti is an incumbent House member. Pinka, on the other hand, has no prior experience in politics.
Political party chairs Airlangga Hartarto of the Golkar Party, Surya Paloh of the NasDem Party, Zulkifli Hasan of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Yusril Ihza Mahendra of the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and Hary Tanoesoedibjo of Perindo, as well as Democratic Party founder Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, also nominated their children – some of whom are incumbent House members.
Meanwhile, family members of regional leaders who have joined the fray include the sister-in-law, daughter-in-law and brother of former Banten governor Atut Choisiyah, whose family has long held a stronghold over the province. All three will be running on Golkar’s ticket.
Outgoing West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil of Golkar and his predecessor Ahmad Heryawan of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Bogor Mayor Bima Arya of PAN will also see their wives vying for a spot at the House.
