Sandiaga And Anies Cannot Be President Because They Are Not Javanese, Observer: Arief Poyuono Don't Be Trapped In Ethnocentrism

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JAKARTA - Gerindra politician Arief Poyuono said DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno could not become president because they were not Javanese. The Javanese, he said, would choose a leader who came from their tribe.

In response, political communication observer at Esa Unggul University, M. Jamiluddin Ritonga, considered Arief Poyuono's statement to be ethnocentrism.

"In his opinion, this multi-ethnic country will only be led by the Javanese. Other tribes seem closed to being elected president," said Jamiluddin in Jakarta, Monday, December 6.

According to him, the ethnocentrism attitude could endanger the development of democracy in Indonesia. Because, said Jamiluddin, ethnocentrism generally develops in totalitarian countries. It was practiced by Adolf Hitler when he led Germany.

"Hitler through the Nazis continued to glorify the German people as part of the Aryan race. The Nazis considered the Aryan race the most superior race, because it had the right to lead the world. Other races were just losers, so they were legal to be led and controlled," explained Jamiluddin.

"Such an attitude is certainly not suitable in a democratic country. Because they will continue to try to dominate by not giving room for other tribes to lead," he continued.

Jamiluddin said that ethnocentrism can certainly disturb the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia because Indonesia is inhabited by multi-ethnic groups. "Other tribes will feel closed off to become president. That can be frustrating for other tribes," he said.

In addition, said Jamiluddin, Arief Poyuono also overanalyzes the Javanese. All Javanese seem to have decided to choose their tribe.

"Generalizations like that are certainly very misleading. Because, if that mindset is used, then all Javanese people seem to be emotional voters. In fact, the political reality is that many Javanese are rational voters. Voters like this choose a presidential candidate not because of one ethnicity or one religion. , but more because it is considered the most appropriate compared to other presidential candidates," he said.

In general, Jamiluddin added, the more educated voters, the more rational they will be in choosing a presidential candidate. This trend continues to occur in Indonesia, where the largest number of voters today are young and educated people.

"So, Arief Poyuono's indication that Javanese people will choose from their ethnicity will likely be refuted in the 2024 presidential election. This tendency will be seen in voters who are educated and are rational voters," said Jamiluddin.

Previously, Gerindra politician Arief Poyuono argued with Irma Suryani Chaniago of the NasDem party about the chance for DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to become a presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

The debate started after Arief said that Anies Baswedan could not become president because he was not from the Javanese ethnic group.

"I also believe in the words of the Javanese ancestors and must be the President of Indonesia. It can't be Sandiaga, not Java. Anies is half Javanese, half Middle Eastern," Arief said in a discussion held by Total Politics in Jakarta, Sunday, December 5.

Arief reasoned that the Javanese have the largest population in Indonesia. The Javanese, he said, would choose a leader from their tribe. This opinion was debated by Irma. He did not agree with Arief's claim. According to him, such an opinion is not worthy to be disseminated.

"The dichotomy of Javanese people is not allowed, (the president) must be Javanese because this will harm the Javanese themselves, as if the Javanese colonized Indonesia. It should not continue to be conveyed to the public," said Irma.

Irma said that Indonesia does not only belong to the Javanese. He emphasized that Indonesia belongs to everyone who lives from Sabang to Merauke.

He said Indonesian leaders were chosen because they were considered capable. Irma disagreed with the assumption that the president was chosen because of his ethnic origin.

"One, he has visions and missions that people really need. Second, money. Without it, you can't, there's no business," said Irma.