Jakarta (VOA) —
This statement was made by Jokowi in his state speech at the 2023 MPR-RI Annual Session and Joint Session of the Republic of Indonesia’s People’s Representative Council (DPR RI) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) RI in 2023 at the MPR / DPR RI Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (16/ 8).
At first, he himself had wondered who “Pak Lurah” was often referred to by politicians and political parties whenever asked about which presidential and vice presidential candidates he would support.
“Whenever asked about who the presidential and vice-presidential candidates were, the answer was: ‘There has been no directive from the Lurah.’ I thought, who is this Lurah? Little by little Mr Lurah. Later I found out that what the Lurah meant was actually me. Yes, I simply replied: ‘I am not a lurah, I am the president of the Republic of Indonesia.’ It turns out that the Lurah is a code,” said Jokowi.
Knowing this, on this occasion Jokowi reiterated that he had no right to determine the presidential and vice presidential candidates, in accordance with the provisions of the applicable law. The decision is in the hands of the general chairman of the political party and the chairman of the party coalition.
“Even though I understand that it is the fate of a president to be used as a ‘patent’, used as an alibi, used as a shield. Even though the campaign hasn’t started yet, my photos are posted everywhere. I went to province A, uh, went to city B, uh, went to district C. Up to the bends in the village there too. But, not a photo of me alone. There is someone next to him with the presidential candidate. Yes, it’s okay,” he said.
President Joko Widodo poses for a group photo after the RAPBN Speech and Financial Notes at the DPR/MPR Building, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 16, 2023. (Photo: Adek Berry/Pool/AFP)
He said, the position of president is not as comfortable as imagined, because he has to carry out a big responsibility. There are many people’s problems that must be solved, he said.
Jokowi gave an example, he often received various anger, ridicule, insults to slander that was so easily conveyed to him.
“I know some say I’m stupid, plonga-plongo, don’t know anything, Pharaoh, stupid. Yes, it’s okay, as a person I just accept it, “he said.
However, he regretted that this indicated that the polite culture and noble character of the Indonesian people had begun to disappear. Today’s freedom and democracy, according to him, are often used to vent malice and slander.
“Pollution in this cultural area seriously hurts the noble character of the Indonesian nation,” he added.
Even so, he admits that not all people apply that way. The insults and insults that existed, he said, actually built the nation’s conscience to unite in maintaining the morality of the public space, and unite in maintaining the mentality of society so that all of them can keep moving forward so that Indonesia can one day transform towards a Golden Indonesia 2045.
“To win Indonesia Gold 2045, it is a position to be in the top 5 of the world’s economic powers and it’s not just an opportunity. But the strategy to achieve it already exists, has been formulated. It’s just a matter of whether we want to focus our energy on moving forward or waste our energy on things that are unproductive and divisive. Even that makes us step back,” he said.
President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana opened the “Berkebaya Palace” event on Sunday, August 6, 2023. (Photo: RI Presidential Secretariat)
Contradictory Statement
Political observer Ujang Komaruddin said Jokowi’s statement emphasizing that he was not the “Lurah” who was predicted to determine the presidential and vice presidential candidates and their coalitions in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election was very contradictory.
Moreover, Jokowi had openly stated that he would “chawe-cawe” or interfere in the 2024 Presidential Election contest for the sake of national unity and integrity.
“So I, following what Pak Jokowi said at the beginning, was involved in cawe-cawe. In fact, when the State Address earlier stated that he was not actively involved in the context of determining the direction of the coalition, he also denied that he was not the head of the village, but the political facts and facts were leading in that direction. So the heads of political parties, the elite and the public have known for a long time that the term ‘Pak Lurah’ refers to Pak Jokowi,” said Ujang.
Furthermore, Ujang stated that it would be difficult for Jokowi not to be actively involved in the democratic party in the upcoming 2024, because Jokowi has many political interests.
“It is impossible for the president to bite his fingers, keep silent, do nothing in the context of the issue of supporting the presidential and cawapres candidates or forming a coalition. According to the provisions of the law, the presidential and cawapres candidates are determined by the political party chairman, or the chairman of a coalition or coalition of political parties. But in the context of political reality, behind the scenes it is also determined by a strong and powerful person, where it is said by ‘Pak Lurah’, namely the President,” he said.
Furthermore, Ujang stated again, that politics moves dynamically. Ahead of the registration of presidential and vice presidential candidates to the General Elections Commission (KPU) in October, the coalition of political parties is very likely to change. It could be just two axles, or three axles. And he is quite sure that Jokowi will take part in this determination, of course, behind the scenes. (gi/ab)
