PDIP Denies The Existence Of Dynastic Politics Regarding Gibran's Candidacy In The Solo Pilwalkot

JAKARTA - The chairman of the PDI-P DPP Ahmad Basarah denied the assumption that Gibran Rakabuming Raka's nomination as a candidate for mayor of Solo in the 2020 Pilkada was a dynastic political practice. The eldest son of President Joko Widodo, said Basarah, has competed internally in the party for recommendations from the Chairperson of PDIP, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"Gibran in the Solo Pilkada contest must compete inside the PDIP to get a ticket for the Solo Polkada, to contest, and attract sympathy and the political choice of Solo citizens to be elected as Mayor of Solo," said Basarah in a written statement, Monday, July 20.

With Gibran's participation in internal party competitions, Gibran is considered not to perpetuate dynastic politics as many have accused. Because dynastic politics is a politics of power regeneration which is hereditary without an electoral process and direct election by the community.

Meanwhile, Gibran, even though he is President Jokowi's son, follows the political process within the PDIP and must be elected by the public before becoming mayor of Solo in the coming period.

"In this context, it is the people's court that will determine whether Gibran will be elected mayor or not to become Mayor of Solo and not because of his father's orders," he said.

Furthermore, the deputy chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) considered the dynastic political polemic which was touched on by a number of parties should be ended. The reason is that as President Jokowi's son, Gibran certainly has the right to do politics to elect and be elected by the people.

"Do not let Gibran be the son of a president and his political rights are revoked. Even though no one in this world can choose who should be his son," he said.

Previously, PDI Perjuangan appointed Gibran Rakabuming Raka as a candidate for Mayor of Solo in the 2020 Pilkada which will be held on December 9. In the elections, he will pair up with Teguh Prakosa.

Gibran is the eldest son of President Jokowi who previously served as Mayor of Solo for two terms before finally becoming Governor of DKI Jakarta and winning the 2014 presidential election.

Responding to the recommendation, a number of parties then commented on the efforts to build dynastic politics. Executive Director of Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO) Dedi Kurniasyah, for example, said President Jokowi should not perpetuate dynastic politics by prohibiting his eldest son from running as a candidate for mayor of Solo.

Because, as head of state, Jokowi should prohibit dynastic politics instead of being involved in it.

"President Jokowi should be a role model for others, not even become part of dynastic politics," he said when contacted.

According to him, political parties do have an instinct to elect anyone who has electability for the sake of their desire to power. He also agreed that running for regional head was the right of every citizen.

It's just that, in the process of electing Gibran to become a candidate for mayor of Solo in the 2020 Pilkada, it is actually considered to be destroying democratic equality and perpetuating efforts to build an oligarchy.