By: Dodik Prasetyo
The Democrat Party is in turmoil because there is a split between the Moeldoko camp and the AHY camp. Moreover, Moeldoko’s PD version is rumored to be supporting the government, while the other version insists on becoming the opposition. However, the President will not interfere in party affairs, because it is not his business and it is very unethical to cross-border.
The Democratic Party (PD) is a party founded by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The reins of leadership of the party are currently passed on to his first son, namely Bagus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY). Currently, PD is viral because Moeldoko, as a cadre, is holding an extraordinary congress (KLB). So that he was appointed as chairman.
The public is also confused about why there are 2 camps in the Democratic Party. Each of them claims that they are legitimate before the law. AHY has reported to President Jokowi regarding this matter. Maybe because Moeldoko is the leader in the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), so AHY wants his rival to be repelled by the President, as his superior.
President Jokowi decided not to intervene in the case of dualism of party leadership and the KLB which were considered less legitimate. The public thinks this attitude is correct, because it is not ethical to interfere. It is inappropriate for a state leader to be busy with internal party affairs. Even though the President is the leader of the state, it does not mean that he can join the party owned by the people.
Moreover, the Democratic Party is not the party that carried President Jokowi in the 2019 presidential election. So it is impossible for President Jokowi to arrange affairs in parties for which he is not a cadre. It would be strange if there were party cadres outside the Democrats who managed the internal affairs of the PD.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the Democrat KLB case should have been resolved first within the party. After there is no agreement from both parties, it can only be brought to court. Only after that, Agus and his father (SBY) were able to present arguments to the judge’s side so that there was a decision which side would win.
According to Yusril, this dualism case can be resolved like when there was a dispute with another party, between Aburizal Bakrie and Agung Laksono. They argued in court, then the judge won Aburizal Bakrie’s side. So that the one who is considered the legitimate chairman is Bakrie.
As a former minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra considered that a minister of Law and Human Rights must be neutral, and not take sides with any political flow. Indeed, when someone is given a ministerial position, he should prioritize the interests of the state, rather than the internal interests of his party.
Even though Yusril stated that, the current Minister of Law and Human Rights, Mahfud MD, stated that the legitimate leader of the Democratic Party and his files on the government desk was the AHY version. So, in fact, he doesn’t have to panic about an outbreak and the threat of a coup by the party leaders.
Mahfud’s statement did not mean that he was defending AHY or attacking Yusril. But it was brought up to calm his party. Because not every party Extraordinary Congress is valid, even though in the end there was a new splinter party, from defeated cadres who felt marginalized.
Again, all officials and former officials must imitate President Jokowi’s stance to be neutral and not dive into party internal affairs. Let the warring parties fight in court, and the judges decide which side is right. If necessary, the case is brought up to the Supreme Court level, when no one is satisfied with the outcome.
Democrat Party administrators are also expected to be mature and report more and more to President Jokowi. Especially if what is being brought up is internal party affairs. It is very disrespectful when a state leader is invited to interfere in the case of his people’s party.
(The author is a contributor to the Cikini Press Circle and Students)
