BRIN: If Dynasty Politics Wins Elections, Indonesian Democracy Will Be Threatened

Election illustration (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Senior researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Prof. Lili Romli, highlighted the term dynastic politics which was again widely discussed by the public after the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) regarding the age limit of presidential and vice presidential candidates. According to him, if dynastic politics wins in the 2024 election, Indonesia's democracy will be threatened.

It is known that the Constitutional Court's decision is considered to pass President Joko Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, running for vice president in the 2024 presidential election. Jokowi was also considered to have practiced dynastic politics.

Romli assessed that political dynasties would be a problem if they hijacked and thwarted democracy. Especially for developing countries, including Indonesia.

"Dynastic politics in power, and to maintain power enforce closed rules or close games," said Lili Romli in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, November 7.

According to him, there are many dynastic political cases in Indonesia because electoral democracy is considered just a formality. This happens because all political forces are controlled, mass media are weakened, and civil society is co-opted.

In addition, said Lili, dynastic politics also controls economic and even corrupt resources. "In developing countries, including Indonesia, it does not show anything positive. That's because the process of hijacking democracy and when they came to power they were corrupt," she said.

Meanwhile, developed countries, continued Lili, dynastic politics goes through a process in accordance with democratic procedures. Not to be in power and there are stages that must be passed, namely through the same cadres and political recruitment as other cadres.

They also have good qualifications and capacities so that when they are in power they also succeed properly, not corrupt. If they fail, the public will not choose them back, there will be punishment," he added.

Lili assessed that if dynastic political conditions continue, it is not impossible that national democracy will be inflamed.

"For future projections, if dynastic politics remains entrenched and wins in elections, Indonesian democracy will be threatened. Now Indonesian democracy is experiencing setbacks, especially later if the powerful are political dynasties," he said.