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Editorial: Jokowi's gratitude
There is no such thing as a free lunch, so goes the maxim that politicians well understand and, hence, to which they adhere
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T
here is no such thing as a free lunch, so goes the maxim that politicians well understand and, hence, to which they adhere. President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo is no exception, as evinced when he installed on Monday his nine advisers who he selected from among those who backed his successful presidential bid last year.
There is nothing wrong with the practice, as the President should appoint only those he trusts and feels comfortable with. The same rule applied when he selected his Cabinet members and other figures for strategic posts like the presidential office chief of staff and the National Police chief. Past presidents did the same, although Jokowi's predecessor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, once tried to change the convention and failed.
While the president holds the prerogative in appointing his aides, the public expects that he or she raise the bar high for the candidates.
This means competence and track records count because such an important institution like the Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres) requires high-quality individuals who can supply Jokowi with the right advice when he needs it.
In the first instance, presidential advisers are strategic thinkers or analysts rather than allies, friends or, worse, yes men. As in the previous administration, the advisers comprised figures known for their expertise, although their proximity to the President mattered.
The facts, however, say that six seats in the nine-strong council have gone to figures of political parties that helped Jokowi win the presidency or support his government.
They are former People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Sidarto Danusubroto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Lion Air founder Rusdi Kirana of the National Awakening Party (PKB), former Army chief Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo of the Hanura Party, Jan Darmadi of the NasDem Party, Yusuf Kartanegara of the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI) and Suharso Monoarfa of the United Development Party (PPP).
Based on Law No. 19/2006 on Wantimpres, they must relinquish their party posts.
Former Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi, Gadjah Mada University economist Sri Adiningsih and former education minister Abdul Malik Fajar of Muhammadiyah are the only non-politicians in the board, the first two being part of Jokowi's campaign team.
That Jokowi could not help but accommodate the wishes of his allies in the selection of his advisers only shows the price of him being catapulted to the presidency. Without support from these political parties, Jokowi could never have contested, let alone won, the election.
But as also happened in the nomination of Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan for the National Police chief post, Jokowi has quite often cracked under the pressure of his political allies when it comes to the selection of his aides.
In the case of Budi, Jokowi was dragged into his most difficult political crisis yet, after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named his lone candidate a graft suspect.
Given his efforts to consolidate his government, the President may not be entirely culpable for the quid pro quo, but in the coming year or so we can no longer tolerate him comprising the public interest to satisfy his allies.
