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Analysis: Jokowi volunteer groups poised to maintain power post-Jokowi era
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Indonesia president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo with Vice President Jusuf Kalla stand and wave to residents on a horse-chariot during the parade to the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (10/20/2014). Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla officially become the 7th president and 12th vice president of the Republic of Indonesia.
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mid their string of People’s Conferences (Musra), as many as 18 representatives of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s volunteer groups have been seen embarking on a “political safari”. Recently, they met with Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, after holding a similar meeting with Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartato. The move has raised questions regarding the groups’ game plan, more so considering how Jokowi has less than two years left in office.
According to Gerindra deputy chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Prabowo and Jokowi’s volunteer groups discussed issues concerning nationality and the future contributions of anak bangsa (children of the nation). Sufmi denied speculation that during the meeting, which he described as a “silaturahmi [communal bond]”, the groups lent its support for Prabowo as a presidential candidate in the upcoming election.
Beforehand, on a couple of occasions, Jokowi had made remarks that appeared to endorse Prabowo as his successor.
Prabowo revealed more information regarding his meeting with Jokowi’s volunteer groups, stating that the groups conveyed the results of their ongoing conferences that had already been held in various regions. Prabowo did not disclose further information, although the defense minister added that he and the volunteer groups had agreed to continue communicating.
The conferences, initiated by Jokowi’s volunteer groups, are held to collect the people’s aspirations for their preferred presidential and vice presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election. A total of 10 conferences will be held by the end of the year, with the first conference taking place last month in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau, and expected to end in December in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.
According to Budi Arie Setiadi, chairman of the Jokowi volunteer group Projo, the conferences were significant in determining the direction of the upcoming election. He revealed that the results of the conferences were topped with recommendations for Prabowo, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno as presidential candidates. However, Prabowo has been gaining the most significant traction, notably in South Sumatra and West Sumatra.
“Based on the records of the conferences, Prabowo’s name is prominent. This means the people want Prabowo to be Jokowi’s successor”, said Budi. Other names emerging on the list of preferred presidential candidates include former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartato, Army chief of staff Gen. Dudung Abdurachman and Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko.
