PAN Joining Jokowi's Coalition Deemed Harmful to Democracy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of elements assess that the joining of the National Mandate Party (PAN) to President Joko Jokowi Widodo’s government coalition is increasingly endangering democracy in Indonesia, particularly weakening the democratic system of checks and balances.

A sociologist from the Jakarta State University, Ubedilah Badrun, lamented PAN's decision on political stance. He argued that PAN joined the coalition at a time when the current government regime is at its worst.

“It shows that PAN under the leadership of Zulkifli Hasan seems very pragmatic,” Ubedilah said to Tempo on Thursday, August 26.

Ubedilah said the current regime is in its worst performance due to the falling democracy index, rampant corruption, human rights violations when many past human rights cases have not been resolved yet, up to deteriorating economy due to budget deficit and rising state debts.

PAN seemed to legitimize bad moves taken by the current government regime, he opined. The consolidation of the government coalition, which is getting stronger due to the PAN’s arrival, he went on, may indicate the current critical situation or fear of the regime.

On the other hand, Ubedilah argued the consolidation might also be fictitious because of the widespread public distrust, and even in the international community. “As a result, democracy in Indonesia is getting worse and more dangerous,” he said.

A political observer Adi Prayitno conveyed a similar prediction. According to him, the government will gain more power, while the control of the parliament is almost non-existent. “A danger to democracy,” said Adi who is also executive director of Parameter Politik Indonesia.

Read: PAN Deputy Chief Expresses Willingness to Join Jokowi Coalition

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