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Jokowi's reformist credentials in question
Concerns grow over democratic backsliding in Indonesia.
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A supporter of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and running mate Ma'ruf Amin uses a Jokowi mask during a massive campaign rally in Jakarta before the 2019 Presidential Election. (Antara/Nova Wahyudi)
W
ith the passing of a law revision that would weaken the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the imminent passing of a draconian revision to the Criminal Code, concerns have been raised over whether President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's leadership is moving toward a resurgence of the New Order regime.
Yet amid mounting fears of democratic backsliding, a controversial letter allegedly from Trisakti University detailing plans to award Jokowi with the title Putera Reformasi (Son of the Reform) circulated on social media over the weekend, putting Jokowi's reformist credentials under further public scrutiny.
Trisakti University rector Ali Ghufron Mukti did not immediately respond to The Jakarta Post's calls and text messages requesting confirmation of the authenticity of the letter, which has sparked criticism.
Human rights activist and Trisakti alumnus Haris Azhar tweeted a photo of the letter on Saturday, asking what the grounds were for awarding the President with such a title.
"Did President Jokowi resolve the case of the Trisakti student shooting?" he said, referring to the four Trisakti University students who were shot by police during a protest in May 1998.
Gerindra Party spokesperson Andre Rosiade, also a Trisakti alumnus, criticized the plan for the award, also citing the President's failure to resolve the Trisakti Tragedy.
"Pak Jokowi benefited from the Reform Era; [he's] not a son of the Reform Era," he said on Sunday. "In the Jokowi era, the spirit of the Reform Era has started to diminish. Freedom of expression is decreasing. The KPK Law was revised, even though the spirit of the Reform Era was to eradicate corruption.
