In this essay, I want to discuss what happened in Indonesia after Jokowi was no longer the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Currently, Jokowi has been President for two terms. His son and son-in-law have also been elected and inaugurated as mayors in Solo and Medan.
He is the only President in Indonesia who does not have a party, is directly elected by the people, involves his son and son-in-law as leaders, starts his career from the region (Solo) to the capital city of Jakarta, and finally becomes the number one person in this republic.
During Jokowi’s leadership, the Indonesian people experienced positive changes and development. When I travelled around Indonesia, especially in Eastern Indonesia. The people liked Jokowi because he had built infrastructure in the region. When refuelling in Boven Digoel (Papua), the price of Pertamax is the same as that of Banda Aceh. The terrain passed to Boven Digoel is not the same as that in the city of Banda Aceh, one of the westernmost cities in Indonesia.
However, during Jokowi’s leadership, the country experienced the most economic and political turmoil. This country is also always “noisy” with socio-religious issues. Luckily, Jokowi’s strategy is to embrace NU, as Jokowi is a religious shield that deals with every crucial problem based on religious and political issues. Therefore, during Jokowi’s leadership, NU became one of the “golden boys” within his government.
Jokowi’s government has also succeeded in “controlling” the parliament in Senayan. It was mastering several assets initially under the control of foreign parties—restoring the air sovereignty previously “controlled” by the Singapore government—and bringing investment from China. When Jokowi took office, China’s relationship with Indonesia was very cordial, even though the issue of Natuna and its surroundings was turbulent in the South China Sea. I have seen a glance at the portrait of Chinese investment in Sulawesi Island.
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| Source: bbc.com |
The question is, what will the picture of Indonesia be after Jokowi is no longer president? Here, there are four exciting issues to examine. First, whoever becomes President of Indonesia in 2024 will undoubtedly face the problem of “global balance.”
At that time, Indonesia would still be invited to cooperate with developed countries, which would take advantage of the country’s natural wealth. Foreigners are not interested in the Indonesian people, politics, and the economy but in natural resources. So, seizing Indonesia as a target for controlling nature will begin precisely when the strong candidate will be the leader after Jokowi.
The concept of “global balance” was triggered by China’s desire to dominate the ASEAN economy. Global dependence on China’s economic power will influence Indonesia’s loyalty to the Chinese government. If this happens, then Indonesia
after Jokowi will not experience significant changes. Whoever the president is, keep on entering the “form of investment” to restore economic conditions in China.
The other impact is that the people’s situation will not change anything in 2024. The presidential election process in 2024 aims to satisfy the concept of “global balance” rather than people’s welfare. Therefore, moving the capital city to the island of Borneo was brilliant for placing the centre of the republic’s power in the very centre of the archipelago. The relocation of the capital city can also be interpreted as the transfer of power and strength from Jakarta and all its supporters to fulfil
strategic steps to face “global balance.”
The second is Indonesia after Jokowi, which will escalate the conflict between supporters fighting for political power. Jokowi’s strategy of appointing Prabowo as Minister of Defense is a very effective symbolic strategy. Of course, the Islamic group used by Prabowo against Jokowi felt humiliated by Prabowo’s interest during the election. This group will certainly not remain silent to seek revenge in 2024. When the community movement does not have a role model, the group will be readily ignited for anyone’s interests.
Thus, Indonesia after Jokowi will not experience any changes, especially the position of the Islamic movement in front of government power. Arrests will continue. Anyone deemed too “noisy” would rest in prison, especially those able to mobilize the masses. As for state security, those arrested can always mobilize the masses, threaten national stability, and leak state secrets to foreign countries. Can always, Therefore, those who were “noisy” during the Jokowi administration will not be released in 2024. Whatever they “shout.” will end up in the courtroom. So, the public’s attention after Jokowi will not change at all. The law is used to silence the three groups above, which can cause chaos in the country.
The third is distributing power and power from the military and police groups into the government. Once again, Jokowi thrives on a model like this. He placed people he knew in strategic positions for state security and safety affairs. These figures also “guard” Jokowi’s interests when acting as head of state and head of government. Important figures during the Jokowi administration in defence and security matters were those close to Jokowi or close to people close to Jokowi himself. So, they protect the country, most importantly, Jokowi and everything about him.
In the future, whoever replaces Jokowi’s position will have to see how the internals of TNI and Polri. So far, the institution’s
loyalty to the state is unquestionable. However, the existence of groups that are not visible within the TNI and Polri, which will get power from the palace, is another thing that must be looked at in depth by future leaders after Jokowi.
The fourth is the ability to diplomatize on the regional and international stages. Currently, Indonesia plays a somewhat important role, although it is not seen as a “giant” in the eyes of developed countries. Indonesia has become an international market. Anything sold in Indonesia will sell well. The consumptive spirit of Indonesian society cannot be controlled at all.
Nevertheless, more than that, Indonesia’s global role must take more benefit rather than being used by foreign parties. Therefore, the leading figure after Jokowi must understand the worldwide situation and have the ability to make strategic decisions for the national interest. That way, Indonesia is still considered globally when any party cannot control its leader internationally.
