Another Test for the President: Jokowi's Jinks

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/01/27/your-letters-a-test-president.html

It's Gecko vs. Crocodile all over again. Only now its escalation and impact will affect the fate of the new President who neither firmly secures political nor military backing. His response in dealing with this crisis is vital for his survival. He won in the Presidential race due to massive public support, believing he could bring changes despite having humble background and estrangement from the elite and military. Taking the wrong step, he would surely lose the public's trust and support. A former furniture salesman from outside the political establishment, Jokowi is deemed to have a proven track which is critical to carry out the reforms he has promised to deliver. But his indecisiveness over the battle of KPK vs. the Police is the first blot on his leadership. Without public backing, his government would be in limbo.

In the prolonged epic battle between the Indonesian graft- busters and the national police force, the silent war climaxed in the arrest of the Deputy Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Bambang Widjojanto. Again the two forces are locking horns. A gecko, or cicak, is pitting itself against the crocodile, or buaya. Just 10 days after naming the presidential nominee, Lt. Jend. Budi Gunawan, the former adjutant of Indonesian Democratic Indonesia of Struggle (PDIP) patron, as the next national police chief a suspect of taking bribes, the KPK deputy head was taken into custody for alleged false testimony when he was dealing with a regional election dispute as a lawyer before a court in 2010.

One cannot help to think that the arrest is politically motivated. Budi Gunawan, now the head of police training, is popular with the political elite and is close to former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, the chairwoman of PDIP who backed Jokowi's nomination in the previous presidential race. Many suspect the nomination was deferring to his patron by promoting Gunawan whose suspicious bank balance the KPK began to investigate back in 2010. And the President has bowed down under pressure. So to speak, the arrest is seen as an aggressive retaliation against KPK from the Police and PDIP.

Amid the mounting outcries from the public and netizens alike for the President to intervene, given he is the supreme leader of these two law enforcers, the President has distanced himself from the intensifying tension. In a statement to address the ongoing crisis, the President only asked the police and KPK to ensure that the process of the law is objective and to avoid any frictions as they carry out their respective investigation. To the dismay of the people, this statement seemed offer no resolution but let the dice kept rolling wildly.

As a result, the unclear stance put the nation in dire situation. This political brouhaha stems from Jokowi's blunder to nominate Budi Gunawan for the top job in the national police as the sole candidate albeit his being red-flagged by the KPK. Perhaps, Jokowi hoped that parliament might veto Gunawan’s appointment in an elegant move to reject the nomination without offending his patron. But the opposition-controlled legislature mischievously declared Gunawan to be fit to lead the police. Forced to choose between snubbing Megawati or his own volunteers, Jokowi dithered again. In a televised address to the country he said that he had postponed Gunawan’s appointment, but not “cancelled” it. This has started the guerilla war of the two law enforcers.

Logically speaking, the public has every right to demand the President resolve the problem without creating further rift in the corps. But it seems the situation gets out of control and escalates. One by one, other KPK commissioners are being brought into spotlight. Allegation after allegation rained down the KPK from those who gain benefits from the weakening corruption body. What infuriates us further is the report that put Bambang Wdjojanto into custody came from a person who has past human rights violation, mutilating and torturing environmental activists. This is just so absurd!

We watch this drama with hammering heart, waiting for the final chapter unfolded. We demand the President to take bold action to stop the systemic weakening of the anti graft body.

However, having no strong military as well as political backing gives a hellish battle for President Jokowi. He is likely forced to make closed door decisions and backroom dealings. Relying on public support will not forever secure him the necessary power to navigate his ship to avoid turbulence and dark waters. The military remains powerful with its own strong patronage. While the political parties will always be loyal only to those who offer more priviliges and benefits. Without smart elegant moves, Jokowi will be attacked from all direction, a hostage to the political bickering of the elites.

Jokowi might be popular and has the unprecedented public support. Yet, his popularity might wane if he makes too much compromises and backroom dealings to please all but the people. It should be the people's and nation's interest that should come first. At the start of his five-year presidency, with many battles still to fight, he may need to remember that his true allied are his popular supporters, and not Megawati or PDIP who only endorse him reluctantly.

Now, all eyes are on the President's every move. Resolving the current crisis will prove an early test for Jokowi, who took office in October pledging a clean government, and support the corruption eradication that plauges the nation for far too long.

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