Jokowi Clarifies Statement on Losing Support

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has clarified a previous statement about feeling abandoned by a certain group. During an interview with reporters, he stated that his intention was to emphasize the importance of collective effort and unity within the community.

“Don't just do it (being together) when there’s joy, but when there are a lot of problems, we’re not together anymore. Everything should be done together, resolved together, and solutions should be sought together,” he said after inaugurating the Leuwikeris Dam in Tasikmalaya Regency on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

At the 3rd Congress of the Nasdem Party on Sunday, August 25, 2024, he mentioned that people were leaving him en masse towards the end of his term. Initially, he added, those people came in large numbers.

He further expressed confidence that NasDem Party General Chair Surya Paloh would remain loyal. “Usually they come in large numbers, and finally when they want to leave, they leave in large numbers. But I'm sure that's not the case with Surya Paloh, not with Bang Surya, and not with NasDem either,” Jokowi remarked. 

In the same speech, Jokowi said that he felt fully supported by the NasDem Party during his 10 years of leadership albeit in 2024, Nasdem chose to support Anies Baswedan, promoting the theme of change.

Political observers consider the President's statement about parties leaving him in large numbers a natural occurrence for a leader nearing the end of their term. Al Azhar University Political Science Lecturer Ujang Komarudin, for example, said that parties would prioritize their own interests and follow President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

“Jokowi must accept that power has limits,” he said via text message to Tempo on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

Ujang suspected that Jokowi's statement might have emerged due to the failed revision of the Regional Election Law, which could have allowed his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, to participate in the upcoming regional head elections.

Executive Director of Parameter Politik Indonesia Adi Prayitno said that power is relatively limited. Parties are currently naturally focused on how to grow themselves.

However, if Jokowi has a good relationship with his supporting parties, Adi said, he should not feel abandoned. Because even after he is no longer president, communication will definitely go well. 

Adi also suspected that Jokowi's interests were not accommodated due to the cancellation of the revision of the Regional Election Law. “Unless the relationship between Jokowi and his supporting parties is not good, then after he is no longer president, Jokowi will definitely be left behind, especially with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which has absolutely ended,” he concluded.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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