But here lies the danger. The majoritarian characteristics of Indonesian politics can tempt Jokowi to hijack the procedural democracy to do anything he wants, including to extend his term through a constitutional amendment by the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), which combines the 575-member House and 136-member Regional Representatives Council (DPD). Jokowi has frequently denied such plans.

In terms of legal technicality, the coalition now only needs support from three DPD members to fulfill the requirement to revise the Constitution. An MPR session to amend the Constitution requires the presence of two thirds or 474 Assembly members and the amendment needs approval of a simple majority of those in attendance.

During Soeharto’s New Order era, a national referendum was required to amend the Constitution as mandated in MPR Decree No. 4/1983.

The Jokowi coalition can change the Constitution at any time and for any reason, although in public it has promised to focus on the issue of state policy outlines (PKHN), which are similar to the state policy guidelines of the MPR during Soeharto’s era.

Indonesian democracy, which flourished after the fall of Soeharto in 1998, now is facing a clear and present danger. Sadly, the people look powerless to stop the ruining of democracy. It is unlikely that another people’s power movement like that which forced Soeharto to step down will emerge.

PAN officially joined the ruling coalition after party chairman Zulkifli Hassan attended last week a meeting between Jokowi and leaders of the political parties that form his government. The grand coalition leaves the Democratic Party and the Prosperous Justice Party behind – allowing the tiny opposition to speak as loudly as it can if only to show that democracy remains intact.

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