Rumor Of Sandiaga Uno – Anies Baswedan's Debt: Transactional Politics With Poor Ideology Is Increasingly Trending In This Country

Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno after being inaugurated as Governor and Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta at the State Palace on Monday, October 16, 2017. (Antara/Putro A)

JAKARTA – According to a political observer from the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Hutri Agustino, the disclosure of a debt agreement of IDR 50 billion between Sandiaga Uno and Anies Baswedan in the 2017 regional elections, Indonesia's political situation has shifted far from the early era of independence.

Politics today is like a market full of transactions. It is only based on momentary political interests, and even tends to be only a tool for sharing power.

It was different during the 1955 election phase. Even though they were both multi-party, the political parties at that time were more ideologically based. The choice of political ideology is like the choice of gender.

“Perhaps we have never heard of party cadres, for example, the mutation from the Masyumi Party to the PKI. Or from the PKI moving to the Marhaen Indonesian Nationalist Party. When the PNI is declared, until he dies he will remain PNI," said Hutri to VOI on 8 February 2023.

This also includes coalitions, parties with different ideologies are less likely to form coalitions. Thus, the coalition that is created is more lasting and has a strong vision and mission.

"Currently, the foundation of the coalition of political parties is very fragile, only five years. Its mission is also not ideology but power. Just look at the party coalitions at the central and regional levels that are sometimes different. Party A and party B at the central level, for example, are in opposition, but at the district/city level they are hand in hand carrying the same candidate for regent or mayor," continued Hutri.

Rows of various political parties' flags in Indonesia. (Antara)

When carrying the same candidate, party elites tend to get along well. However, for the next five years, said Hutri, there is no guarantee whatsoever. Everyone dismantled each other regarding opposition, coalitions, transactions, and even related to funding.

In the end, this often becomes a political commodity ready to be played to discredit certain candidates.

"So the issue of IDR 50 billion might not have arisen if they had not split up, this is like an iceberg phenomenon. The existing coalition is indeed very fragile,” said Hutri.

So did the presence of new political parties. Instead of offering an alternative political ideology, they only use political parties as an outlet for hurt feelings

"So, how pragmatism is the current condition of political parties," said Hutri.

Threatening Sovereignty

Political transactions will become a figment if the provision of public political education goes well. However, the reality is far from expectations. The people who should be able to control themselves are also carried away by the practical political atmosphere.

"The evidence is clear, we have to be honest that money politics is still an attraction for people at the grass root level. Why did it happen? Because they see that the elites are so transactional, then they feel it is a loss if they have to Vote without any reward," said Hutri.

“Finally, like the Javanese analogy with blangkon. Straight in front, bent behind. When village people meet candidates for DPR members, they are good in front of them, but there are quiet whispers behind, how much they buy my vote," Hutri added.

Even ironic, they already consider this behavior as a natural thing. So that the interests of political parties and society overlap, and tend to judge each other and legitimize each other.

Illustration - Transactions are considered a normal thing in the political culture in Indonesia which is getting poor with ideology. (Pixabay)

That, according to Hutri, is a serious problem that can undermine state sovereignty. If this system continues to be maintained, it will be difficult for the state to realize social justice for all people.

"In my opinion, we have to get to know again, what political ideologies are still tolerated by Pancasila. Nationalist, religious, socialist, or another ideology? If that's all, it means that three parties are enough. One party represents one ideology, then its regeneration is clarified," he said.

Do not give more importance to people with large capital power to sit in certain positions. Meanwhile, party cadres who start their careers from the branches, regions, to the center, with the desire to get a DPP recommendation, can only bite their fingers.

“There are also many phenomena like that at this time. It's like Erick Thohir becoming minister of SOEs, not party elites but suddenly joining forces to become ministers, just check if there are party cadres who are disappointed or not," added Hutri.

Accounts Payable Agreement

The IDR 50 billion loan agreement between Sandiaga Uno and Anies Baswedan during the 2017 DKI Pilkada was disclosed by the Deputy Chairperson of the Golongan Karya Party (Golkar), Erwin Aksa Mahmud on the YouTube channel Akbar Faizal Uncensored on 4 February 2023.

According to Erwin, there are two agreements. The first is related to the division of tasks between Anies Baswedan as Governor of DKI Jakarta and Sandiaga as deputy. This agreement was carried out by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla when they served as president and vice president.

"Then I also found out, during the first round, the logistics were difficult. Sandi is the one who has logistics, he has lots of shares, good liquidity, and so on. There is one more agreement that is in the lawyer. The point is, if it's not mistaken, maybe it's the debt agreement," said Erwin.

Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party, Erwin Aksa Mahmud in an interview on Akbar Faizal Uncensored YouTube channel on February 4, 2023. (YouTube Akbar Faizal Uncensored)

"So the one who has liquidity happens to be Mr. Sandi, who then gave a loan to Mr. Anies, because at that time it was the first round (of the DKI Pilkada), and at that time help was really needed. Maybe IDR 50 billion in value,” Erwin continued.

Sandiaga Uno to the media crew on February 7 also acknowledged the debt but, "After I prayed Istikharah, after I considered consulting with my family, I did not want to continue discussing this."

"I want to focus on looking at the future, the contest for democracy is just around the corner. Let's look at the future with a sense of joy and the unity and integrity of our nation," continued Sandiaga Uno as reported by VOI.