Gain And Loss Of Golkar And PKS Meeting: Reducing Polarization, But Public Has Been Waiting For Presidential And Vice-Presidential Candidates Too Long

JAKARTA - Political observer from Padjadjaran University (Unpad) Firman Manan said that yesterday's meeting between the Golkar Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) had two sides of advantages and disadvantages.

First, the meeting can be interpreted as a positive message from political party elites to the public.

"Of course, the public sees the elite. So when it seems that these political elites can communicate with each other, it's fluid, including they have the commitment to compete in a healthy manner, both in elections," said Firman, Wednesday, February 8, evening.

Second, the meeting can reduce the potential risk of extreme polarization that could affect the public after the competition, as happened in the last election.

According to him, the elite and the public should understand that elections are a democratic agenda that does not need to lead to polarization. Instead, democracy should be happy.

"I think it's a good message to the public that even if there is competition between political parties, it's an ordinary democratic agenda. It doesn't need to lead to conflict or polarization," said Firman.

However, continued Firman, there is also a potential loss from meetings of political party elites which often occur later. He said that the public would potentially not have enough time to weigh and make choices about the presidential candidate to be elected in the 2024 election.

"In the context of the need for information for voters, the longer it takes residents to know who will become the candidate for the presidential cawapres coalition that is formed, it is rather detrimental. Because time is running out," he said.

With the smooth communication of political party elites, Firman assessed, the public would be at risk of not immediately obtaining certainty regarding the figure running for the 2024 Presidential Election. This condition, he said, would have an impact on insufficient information.

Yet according to him, the accessibility and adequacy of information is an important factor in elections based on rationality.

"So that there is not enough time for residents to really get enough information about the presidential and vice-presidential pairs, about the coalition, what the platform is, the vision and mission of the program, and so on," he concluded.

Previously, Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party, Ahmad Doli Kurnia, said that the meeting between the Golkar Party and PKS elites was to confirm the political parties' commitment to guarding the elections on time for February 14, 2024, with the principles of Luber and Jurdil.

"Let's not question the agenda anymore, now the election is running on going. We both have an obligation to ensure that this election is a successful election. Success is being honest and overflowing," said Doli at the Golkar DPP, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 7.

Second, the parties agree to support the 2024 elections to take place with an open proportional system.

"So earlier we discussed continuing to encourage and convince the Constitutional Court, its judges also listen to these aspirations, right? There are already the majority aspirations in the DPR, there are already eight political parties. I think all elements of society, including civil society, are supportive," said Doli.