Memories Mahfud MD Failed To Become Jokowi's Vice Presidential Candidate

Mahfud MD, who once served as Chairman of the Constitutional Court from 2008-2013. (Between/Puspa Perwitasari)

JAKARTA - Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin (MD) is an accomplished politician. He is reliable in all fields. All powers of the trias of politics (executive, legislative, judicial) have been tested. The leadership made Mahfud's name fragrant. Moreover, he often received the blessing of Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur).

However, it is not always time for Dewi Fortuna to side with Mahfud in the world of politics. Mahfud once failed to become a candidate for Vice President (Cawapres) of Indonesia accompanying Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in the 2019 presidential election.

Mahfud MD and Gus Dur are two things that cannot be separated. The narrative is because throughout Mahfud's political career, the footsteps of Gus Dur and his party, the National Awakening Party (PKB) have always appeared.

When Gus Dur became the number one person in Indonesia, especially. The 4th Indonesian president was observant to see the potential of a Mahfud. Gus Dur even believes that Mahfud's presence can bring Indonesia better.

This reason made Mahfud's name appointed Gus Dur as minister twice. First, as Minister of Defense (Menhan). Second, as Minister of Justice and Human Rights. Initially Mahfud doubted that he could carry out his duties as a minister. Gus Dur also came like a savior and believed Mahfud was willing.

It could be that Gus Dur's political career as President of Indonesia ended quickly. However, this incident had no effect on Mahfud's political career. He may no longer be a minister, but Mahfud is welcome by Gus Dur to taste another career.

This support made Mahfud walk around choosing a new career as a member of the DPR. However, his presence at the DPR was only for a short time. Because, he didn't really like it. He began to look for new fields. The position of Constitutional Justice then became his shot.

Ulam's beloved pinnacle arrives. His desire to become a Constitutional Justice was achieved. Not long after, Mahfud was able to become Chairman of the Indonesian Constitutional Court from the 2008-2013 era. This field made his name skyrocket. In the end, he got a position that matched his expertise, law.

Mahfud is already in charge of his duties as Defense Minister during the Gus Dur era, although initially many people doubted him. His stance was firm in shouting the civil supremacy and reposition of the TNI according to constitutional law, but he also defended the TNI firmly from attacks by pro-democracy activists and NGOs, and asked outsiders not to dredge up the TNI.

"Mahfud did not hesitate to mention that there were activists and NGOs who became the sovereignty of the state in the name of human rights and democracy by urging the TNI to remain silent and do nothing, but if something fatal happened, the TNI was blamed. Many NGOs are good, but activists and NGOs like that are not nationalist and disgusting. He was firm that we must maintain the integrity of the Pancasila and territory ideology," said Fajar Laksono in the book Law of Not Kunjung Tek (2007).

The political career that was perpetuated by Mahfud MD was brilliant. He was able to carry out all his roles, either as an executive, legislative, or judicial official. However, not always Dewi Fortuna sided with Mahfud.

Especially when Mahfud assembled his dream of becoming the figure of Vice President of Indonesia. His dream almost became real because he was proposed by Jokowi as a vice presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election. At that time, Mahfud's name was currently known as Jokowi's companion.

Mahfud explained that he accepted the proposal. Jokowi's party has even asked Mahfud to measure the size of the clothes. Thejian was carried out so that Mahfud would appear in line with Jokowi during the declaration of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates at Plataran Resto, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on August 9, 2018.

The day you have been waiting for has arrived. Mahfud's spirit rose. He was asked to be prepared. He was also placed temporarily at the Tesate Restaurant which is not far from the venue for the declaration of the Presidential Candidate-Cawapres on Plataran Resto.

He wore a white shirt and black trousers as requested. Malang cannot be rejected. Instead of getting closer immediately, it was reported that Jokowi already had another candidate. The candidate for Vice Presidential Candidate is the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Ma'ruf Amin.

It was as if Mahfud didn't believe it was ignored at the last second. Mahfud's assumption that he was disappointed was not playing games. Moreover, Mahfud is like venting about the chronology of his failure as Jokowi's Vice Presidential Candidate at a national television station event.

Mahfud also reiterated his recent failure. He said he did not regret the failure. He considered the failure as a Vice Presidential Candidate as the last wind. Because, he believes that there is always a surprise behind all failures.

"At that time in 2019 I wanted to be vice president but in the end I didn't. Then finally I thought about what God's blessing I had to feel again. At that time I just thought about other people's sacrifices. I want to be vice president, I don't have to be sad, I have to be angry, I don't. Because in the past Bung Karno was already in power, so the 20-year president was brought down.

"I haven't fallen yet and I haven't lost anything. Bung Karno sacrificed almost during his life for Indonesia to be brought down. Mr. Harto is 32 years old like an unmatched emperor, finally dropped in an instant on May 21, 1998. I haven't been anything, how come I want to get angry. The lesson I take is just fight back," Mahfud MD said in Podkas which aired on the Cabinet Secretariat website, May 29, 2023.