Politics Ahead Of The 2024 General Election Is Still Dynamic: What Are The Criteria For The Leaders Of Indonesia For The Future?

The Nasdem Party has officially promoted Anies Baswedan to become a presidential candidate for the 2024 General Election. (Between/Reno Esnir/pras)

JAKARTA - The situation and political conditions in Indonesia ahead of the 2024 General Election are still very dynamic. The riddle of who will fight as a presidential and vice presidential pairs has not been answered.

Compared to other parties that occupy the current seats of the DPR, Nasdem took first steps by declaring Anies Baswedan as his presidential candidate.

Nasdem certainly cannot run alone because it collides with presidential threshold rules. Most likely, Nasdem will cooperate with the Democratic Party and the Justice Party to prosper in a coalition.

"About the two parties. Both PKS, our friends, our friends are Democrats, to be honest, from what perspectives I understand. What I understand as a politician practitioner, In sha Allah, all unite the thoughts, passion, close together with Nasdem," said Surya Paloh, in a press conference after Anies' declaration became Nasdem presidential candidate at Nasdem Tower, Jakarta on October 3, 2022.

Meanwhile, the Gerindra Party and the National Awakening Party have agreed on a coalition, but until now they have not decided on the figure to be promoted as a presidential and vice presidential candidate.

A number of elites of the two parties have high hopes for Prabowo to fight again in the 2024 presidential election contest with Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin).

"Gus Muhaimin and Pak Bowo will meet on Sunday, there are many things that will be discussed. One of them is about the duet of presidential and vice presidential candidates promoted by PKB and Gerindra," said Deputy Secretary General of the PKB DPP Syaiful Huda on October 28, 2022.

"So far, the duo of Mr. Bowo and Gus Muhaimin is the one that cadres want to be able to run together as presidential and vice presidential candidates in the 2024 General Election," Syaiful continued.

Similar to Golkar, the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the United Development Party (PPP) which have formed the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB). The three of them have not yet decided whether to carry Airlangga Hartarto as a presidential candidate or other options.

According to the Executive Director of Indonesia Political Review (IPR) Ujang Komarudin, the decision process is still quite long. KIB still tends to wait and see the political dynamics that occur ahead of the 2024 General Election.

"The process will still be long. It will still be balanced, we will still pay attention to the situation, psychological and sociological conditions," Ujang told VOI, Saturday (29/10).

Meanwhile, the party that controls parliament, PDI Perjuangan is still full of consideration whether to elect Ganjar Pranowo or Puan Maharani, the daughter of the general chairman of the PDI-P Megawati Soekarnoputri who will run as a presidential candidate.

When referring to the results of a number of surveys, Ganjar's electability is far more than that of Puan.

"If it prioritizes rationality, yes, it must be Ganjar. Moreover, his track record so far has been quite good and experienced," said Mohamad Grandy from the Indonesian Police Consultant to VOI some time ago.

However, the appointment of figures who will run as presidential candidates for the 2024 General Election is Megawati's prerogative.

"The 5th Congress has given a mandate related to the presidential and vice presidential candidates is the prerogative of the PDIP General Chair Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri," said PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto on October 24, 2022.

So, before there is an official decision from the party, PDI-P cadres must be disciplined towards party rules. Discipline in ideology, discipline in organization, and discipline in movement.

"Be patient, it will definitely be announced through deep considerations, and that is definitely in the interests of the nation and state," added Hasto.

Previously, the Chairman of the Nasdem Party, Surya Paloh, had explained the ideal criteria for presidential candidates who would contest the 2024 General Election.

The main criterion is consistency between speech and actions. The figure of the presidential candidate must also have added value on the basis of his example, behavior, and attitude.

"It can give the spirit of sacrifice to become the leader of Indonesia," said Surya Paloh after receiving the Doctor's Honorary Causa's Office for Political Sociology from Universitas Brawijaya Malang, East Java last July.

In addition, the humble attitude of building the life of the nation and state in Indonesia is reflected in daily life. Can be populist and of course offer thoughts with lots of smiles, not with anger.

"Not with insults between us, each other, demeaning each other. That is a common concern. We must support a more conducive atmosphere so that this nation moves forward," he continued.

Jusuf Kalla (JK) also has special criteria regarding presidential candidate figures in the 2024 General Election. What is certain is that Indonesia must be able to bring Indonesia to prosperity, progress, and be fair.

"From that big goal, we will set the criteria. This should not be a joke because it involves 270 million Indonesians," said JK to the media crew, Friday (28/10).

The first criterion requires a leadership spirit or leadership ability. Without a leadership spirit, he assessed that the president would not be able to regulate this great nation.

Then, have good knowledge, experience, and have a good track record.

"What we hope is not a name, not who, but what are the criteria, the character. So, we will compile the criteria first, then determine the person," added JK.

President Jokowi also had time to convey the ideal figure of Indonesia's future leader.

"Global challenges are getting tougher. There are more and more challenges. In the midst of that situation, what kind of leader will Indonesia need?" Jokowi wrote on his Twitter account on August 25, 2022.

According to him, the next presidential candidate must have a strong relationship and always side with the interests of the people.

"The people are not only people in Jakarta, or the people in Java but in the 17,000 islands we have," said Jokowi, showing a video clip of an interview session with a national private television journalist.

Another criterion, which is also an absolute requirement, must be willing to work hard to face increasingly tough global challenges.