TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, has diligently gathered his volunteers in recent times on a number of occasions. Indonesia Political Review executive director Ujang Komarudin believes that this strategy is meant to keep power close to his circle.

Ujang believes that Jokowi - who can no longer run for the 2024 presidential candidacy - does not intend to suddenly step down from his thrown. He argues that the former governor of Jakarta and Solo intends to build a strong political power as outside of being a president, he does not lead any political party.

“Usually people who are no longer in power will be abandoned. Jokowi is not a Party chairperson, which is why he is establishing strength from his volunteers as strong bargaining to turn into a ‘kingmaker’ in terms of a presidential candidacy,” said Ujang on August 29. “If he backs either candidate who wins, once he is no longer in power he would at least be safe politically, legally, and financially.”

Jokowi's move to gather volunteers took place when he attended the Jokowi Volunteer Musyawarah or Musra Volunteers at the Arcamanik GOR, Bandung, West Java, on Sunday, August 28. On that occasion, Jokowi acknowledged the volunteer group was one of the instruments of democracy that helped determine the nation's leading candidates in the future.

"Indeed, according to the constitution, it is the political party or coalition of parties that carries out the presidential candidate, but at the time of voting, it is the people who decide. Musra is an instrument of democracy, which we hope will bring up leaders who are loved by the people, who are close to the people," the President said.

Just days prior to his gathering in Bandung, Jokowi also met with another branch of political volunteers, the Bravo 5, which is overseen by the Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investments Luhut Pandjatian. The President, in this event, then delivered his peculiar message.

“Politics should not be hurried, stay patient, whoever the presidential candidate is the most important part is for us to work, work, and work,” said Bravo 5 spokesperson Ruhut Sitompul in reiterating President Jokowi’s instructions on Friday, August 26.

On Friday last week, the President also met with another of his volunteer group known as the Plat K Volunteer, which he invited to the State Palace in Jakarta. Earlier in July, Jokowi also gathered his volunteers at the Bogor Palace. This group helped endorse him for the presidential race in the 2014 and 2019 elections.

In terms of the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Jokowi is believed to have his own choice of candidate in Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo. In an event with his Projo volunteers in Central Java in May this year, the President told members to remain patient and only signaled his support for Ganjar.

Jokowi’s move is seen to not align with PDIP, the political party that endorses him throughout his political career. PDIP itself is starting to endorse the daughter of the Party Chairperson, Puan Maharani, for the upcoming presidential election.

DEWI NURITA

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