Author: Ahmad Harris *)
Ahead of the 2019 presidential election, political tension in Indonesia is increasingly heating up. Adu arguments between candidate supporters cannot be avoided. Both the vision and mission, the program and the shortcomings of the Presidential candidates did not escape the discussion and comparison of the people in choosing. It’s fine if what is discussed is related to lack of performance or programs. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for political and community elites to involve physical inadequacies and strengths from one of the candidates. For example, Prabowo who seems to have a dashing and arrogant character. While Jokowi is more friendly and polite. Similar comparisons gradually led to the terms of military leaders and civilian leaders where military leaders were always judged to be assertive.
This opinion certainly must be recognized by Indonesian people. However, when viewed from Mr. Prabowo’s figure, it seems that the firmness and discipline of a military person is not reflected in his personality. In the Decree of the Officer Honorary Board Number: KEP / 03 / VIII / 1998 / DKP, it was stated that Prabowo Subianto was sentenced to an administrative sentence in the form of being dismissed from the military service. There are several reasons for his dismissal, one of which is the indiscipline of the figure of Prabowo in paying attention to the operating system, hierarchy and laws that apply in the ABRI environment. In addition, the initiative to commit a crime in the form of kidnapping against activists was also one of the factors in the issuance of these sanctions.
Through these facts, of course it can be distinguished whether Prabowo is a military figure who carries out duties according to his wishes. Of course if the basis of the implementation of a leader’s task is desire, it is not impossible repression and violence against the community will occur again when the interests of the community are not in accordance with the wishes of the leader. It seems not too much if someone says democracy will collapse if Prabowo wins. Then, will Indonesia repeat the new order period if Prabowo wins? Will press freedom until democracy be lost? Wallahua’lam. Even so, we need to accept the fact that his track record in activist kidnappings does not necessarily occur if he serves as President in Indonesia.
Of course, we do not want to be trapped in the heroic drama of Pak Prabowo’s appearance considering there is a more important substance, namely the welfare of the nation. Even though it didn’t look as proud as Pak Prabowo, Mr. Jokowi’s attention to Papua was quite inherent in my heart. One village in Papua, the village of Ampas, only received electricity in 2016 after 71 years of independence. For example, only one of Jokowi’s many concerns for Papua. Without limits, on one occasion, he even carried the best son of the Island while greeting the residents with a friendly and polite attitude. Seeing this event, then I ask, who will be elected, the leader with all his pride or a leader who is full of love and hospitality?
*) Student of FISIP at Dharma Agung University