Rewarding a
rival and damaging democracy
Maintaining harmony (rukun)
is a quality embedded in Javanese culture.
This is one explanation for Joko Widodo publicly calling bitter rival
Prabowo Subianto his ‘best friend’ at the Presidential inauguration.
A few days later Widodo
offered Subianto the Defence portfolio.
Some interpreted this as a reconciliation gesture to heal post-poll divisions. Others, particularly human rights activists
and supporters of democracy, see Widodo’s decision as foolhardy and a threat to
national cohesion.
It’s difficult to find
pleasant things to write about Subianto.
The 68-year old is an
ambitious mega-millionaire international businessman; he’s also a political and
military thug known for his furious temper. Given a choice of lunch with the
disgraced general or Kim Jong-un, it would be wise to head to Pyongyang.
Subianto was discharged
from military service in 1999 for allegedly ‘misinterpreting orders’ during Jakarta riots, and the
‘disappearance’ of 13 student protestors after his father-in-law President Soeharto
resigned. He then fled to exile in Jordan.
Since his return Subianto
has tried to take over the nation, standing once as vice president, and twice
as president. He’s been quoted as saying
Indonesia
is not ready for democracy, and till now the electors haven’t been ready for
him.
Earlier this year Subianto
and his followers ran a long and loathsome campaign against Widodo spreading falsehoods
that POTUS might hesitate to use, albeit briefly.
During a televised debate
Subianto said terrorist attacks in Indonesia were caused by non-Muslims
disguised as Muslims. He cited a 2015 US
Sci-fi novel Ghost Fleet as proof of overseas
plotters planning the disintegration of Indonesia by 2030. Even Trump finds less loony sources.
In April Widodo beat the
former general in a two-man direct election for the top job 55.5 to 44.5. The loser alleged outrageous wrongs committed
in the count – all rejected by the courts.
Riots followed. At least eight
died – hundreds were injured.
By forgiving Subianto it
seems Widodo hopes to soften his haters. But his actions have worked in reverse,
infuriating those who voted for the incumbent because they despised Subianto
and his black-uniformed fascist rants from horseback. These made him look and sound like Indonesia’s Il
Duce.
The downside of rukun is the suppression of emotions
which can explode if bottled too long.
This happened in 1965 when an estimated half a million real or imagined
Reds were slaughtered by fellow villagers; many used the chaos following the Jakarta anti-Communist coup
to settle old scores against neighbours.
Another explanation is
that Widodo wants Subianto busy working with the government so he’s not outside
plotting a takeover. Chances are he’ll
still scheme to wrest power when inside as the man’s ego is gross.
To get a handle on the
weirdness (to Western thinking), imagine this:
Hillary Clinton winning the 2016 election, then praising the pussy
grabber as a buddy and asking him to be in her Ministry.
Plump Subianto’s grin at
Widodo’s inauguration was as wide as the auditorium. Instead of being bruised and banished, the
prodigal son has been welcomed into the inner circle and given a platform to
mount another challenge in 2024. Widodo can’t stand again as he’s limited to
two five-year terms.
If Widodo was a
Pentecostal his actions could be explained as a splendid demonstration of
Christian love and forgiveness. Instead
it’s being seen as a brain fart.
Subianto spent all his
life in the Army before being kicked out. Military men see an enemy making
concessions and offering friendship as signs of weakness. Leaders don’t backslap opponents unless the
hand carries a knife.
There’s a famous 13th
century Javanese story Widodo might do well to recall. Ken Arok was abandoned as a babe but schemed
his way into the royal family. He eventually became ruler of the Hindu-Buddhist
kingdom of Singosari
in East Java by betraying friends and killing
his way to the top.
The reinstatement of
Subianto in public life and elevation to the Ministry have damaged the nation’s
young democracy and its leader’s credibility.
Instead of entering a new era of harmony and development as a united
nation, Indonesia
is heading for uncertainty as a torn society.
First published in Pearls and Irritations, 25 Oct 2019: https://johnmenadue.com/duncan-graham-threatening-unity-by-seeking-harmony/
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