Indonesia in Focus: Unfinished journey (48)

Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto

Unfinished journey (48)

(Part forty-eight, Depok, West Java, Indonesia, 7 September 2014, 10:38, GMT)

At the time members of the legislative elections a few months ago my vote, but I was at the election of candidates for President I was unable to attend (due to illness) in hospitalization.

However, in my house there is a real attitude about who they choose.

My eldest daughter is a graduate of English literature he tends to choose a mate Prabowo-Hatta Rajasa. While my youngest daughter who just graduated from the Department of Mathematics / Science Development Economics, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) said piercing (opt) pairs Joko Widodo and Muhammad Jusuf Kalla.

My wife still seems undecided whether couples have chosen this one, because he is still keeping who the favorite figure, although she is daughter of an Army officer who died in Mecca, Saudi Arabia while on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

That's democracy, despite different political color-our family, do not make our family relationships broke (cracked / loose).

Hatta Rajasa -Prabowo and Joko Widodo-muhammad Jusuf Kalla

Elections in Indonesia

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Wikinews has related news: Indonesia

Elections in Indonesia have taken place since 1955 to elect a legislature. At a national level, Indonesian people did not elect a head of state – the president – until 2004. Since then, the president is elected for a five-year term, as are the 550-member People's Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, DPR) and the 128-seat Regional Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah).

The Council is elected by proportional representation from multi-candidate constituencies. Under Indonesia's multi-party system, no one party has yet been able to secure an outright victory; parties have needed to work together in coalition governments.

The voting age in Indonesia is 17 but anyone who has an ID card (Indonesian: Kartu Tanda Penduduk (KTP)) can vote, since persons under 17 who are or were married can get a KTP.

Main articles: Indonesian legislative election, 1955 and Indonesian Constituent Assembly election, 1955

Indonesia's first general election elected members of the DPR and the Constitutional Assembly of Indonesia (Konstituante). The election was organised by the government of Prime Minister Ali Sastroamidjojo. Sastroamidjojo himself declined to stand for election, and Burhanuddin Harahap became Prime Minister.

The election occurred in two stages:

The election of the members of the People's Representative Council, which took place on 29 September 1955. Twenty-nine political parties and individuals took part;

The election for the members of the Constitutional Assembly, which took place on 15 December 1955.

The five largest parties in the election were the National Party of Indonesia (Partai Nasional Indonesia), Masyumi, Nahdlatul Ulama, the Communist Party of Indonesia (Partai Komunis Indonesia, PKI), and the Indonesian Islamic Union Party (Partai Sarekat Islam Indonesia).

Joko Widodo in Ballot Box

Beginning of the New Order (1971)[edit]

Main article: Indonesian legislative election, 1971

The first election after the establishment of the "New Order" took place on 5 July 1971. Ten political parties participated.

The five largest political parties were Golkar, Nahdlatul Ulama, the ×Muslim Party of Indonesia (Parmusi), the Indonesian National Party and the Indonesian Islamic Union Party.

Elections under the New Order (1977–1997)[edit]

Map showing the parties/organisations with the largest vote share per province in Indonesia's elections from 1971 to 2009

Elections following the mergers were held under the government of President Suharto. In accordance with the legislation, these were contested by three groups; Golkar, the PPP and the PDI. All elections in this period were won by Golkar.

To ensure that ×Golkar always won more than 60 percent of the popular vote, the ×New Order regime used a number of tactics. These included:

Reducing the number of opponents: In 1973, the existing political parties were forced to merge into the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). These were the only parties allowed to contest general elections.[1][2]

Weakening the remaining opponents: The two political parties were forbidden to criticize government policy,[3] and the government had to approve all slogans they used. Furthermore, they were not allowed to organize at the village level (where the majority of Indonesians live). To stop the rise of charismatic figures, their candidates had to be vetted by the government. When a potentially charismatic figure (in the form of founding president Sukarno's daughter Megawati Sukarnoputri) became leader of the PDI, the government engineered a political convention in Medan in 1996 to remove her. Ironically, the ensuing disturbances at the PDI's Jakarta headquarters began a chain of events that indirectly led to the downfall of the New Order.[1][2]

Coercion to vote Golkar: Civil servants were ordered to support Golkar, or face accusations of insubordination. Private sector workers were reminded of the need for "stability". Many people believed the vote was not secret, and the government did little to persuade them otherwise. Many voters were still at school, and they were warned by teachers of a link between their choice at the ballot box and exam success [2]

The vote-counting process: The Golkar votes were counted first, then those of the two other parties. In the 1997 election, by 9pm on the day after voting, Golkar had already been awarded 94% of its eventual vote. By contrast, the PPP had been credited with less than 10% of its final tally.[4]

Vote-rigging: Although the counting at the local ballot boxes was conducted in public, with the ballot papers held up and the scores marked on boards, it was at the later stages where irregularities were frequently reported.[2]

Multiple voting: There was no effective way of determining who had already voted, allowing many to do so more than once [2]

Summary of 1977–1997 election results

Year United Development Party

(Partai Persatuan Pembangunan, PPP) The Functional Groups

(Golongan Karya, Golkar) Indonesian Democratic Party

(Partai Demokrasi Indonesia, PDI)

Votes Seats Votes Seats Votes Seats

1977 18,743,491 (29.29%) 99 (27.50%) 39,750,096 (62.11%) 232 (64.44%) 5,504,757 (8.60%) 29 (8.06%)

1982 20,871,880 (27.78%) 94 (26.11%) 48,334,724 (64.34%) 242 (67.22%) 5,919,702 (7.88%) 24 (6.67%)

1987 13,701,428 (15.97%) 61 (15.25%) 62,783,680 (73.17%) 299 (74.75%) 9,324,708 (10.87%) 40 (10.00%)

1992 16,624,647 (17.00%) 62 (15.50%) 66,599,331 (68.10%) 282 (70.50%) 14,565,556 (14.89%) 56 (14.00%)

1997 25,341,028 (22.43%) 89 (20.94%) 84,187,907 (74.51%) 325 (76.47%) 3,463,226 (3.07%) 11 (2.59%)

Source: General Election Commission[5]

Seats up for election: 360 (1977 and 1982), 400 (1987 and 1992), 425 (1997)

Election reforms (1999–present)[edit]

The 1999 election was the first election held after the collapse of the New Order. It was held on 7 June 1999 under the government of Jusuf Habibie. Forty-eight political parties participated.

The six largest parties which passed the electoral threshold of 2% were the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan), the reformed ×Golkar Party, the United Development Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan), the National Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa), the National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional), and the Crescent Star Party (Partai Bulan Bintang).

Under the constitution, the new ×President was elected by members of both houses of ×Parliament in a joint sitting. This meant that although the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle won the largest share of the popular vote, the new ×President was not its nominee, Megawati Sukarnoputri, but Abdurrahman Wahid from the National Awakening Party. Megawati became Vice-President.

Ads by Trust Media Viewer×During its 2002 annual session, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) added 14 amendments to the Constitution of Indonesia. Included in these amendments were measures to reorganize the Indonesian legislature. Beginning in 2004, the MPR would be composed of the existing People's Representative Council (DPR) and a new Regional Representative Council (DPD). Because all the seats in the MPR would be directly elected, this called for the removal of the military from the legislature, whose 38 seats for the 1999–2004 period were all appointed.[6] This change and an amendment for direct election of the President and Vice President were major steps for Indonesia on the road towards a full democracy.[7]

The 2004 legislative election was held on 5 April 2004. A total of 24 parties contested the election. The Golkar Party won the largest share of the vote, at 21.6%, followed by the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle, the National Awakening Party, the United Development Party and newly formed Democratic Party. 17 parties won legislative seats.

2009 legislative and presidential elections[edit]

Main articles: Indonesian legislative election, 2009 and Indonesian presidential election, 2009

Legislative elections for the Regional Representatives Council and the People's Representative Council were held in Indonesia on 9 April 2009. The presidential election was held on 8 July, with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono winning enough of the vote to make the run-off election unnecessary.[8]

2014 legislative and presidential elections[edit]

Main articles: Indonesian legislative election, 2014 and Indonesian presidential election, 2014

Legislative elections for the Regional Representatives Council and the People's Representative Council were held in Indonesia on 9 April 2014.[9] The first round of the presidential election will be held on 9 July 2014. [10]

Future elections[edit]

Position 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Presidential July and

September None September and

October

DPR (House) All seats

(April) All seats

(July)

DPD (Senate)

Gubernatorial Lampung

Gorontalo Jambi

Sumbar

Bengkulu

Kepri

Kalteng

Kaltim

Sulut Sulteng

Sulbar

Papua

Pabar Jakarta

Banten

Bangka-Belitung

Aceh Bali

Sumsel

Jatim

Jateng

Sumsel

Jabar Lampung

Gorontalo

Jambi

Mayoral and Regential None Various Various Various Various None

Notes:

In the 2019 general elections the presidency, the national legislature, all governorships, all state legislatures, and mayoral and regential seats will be contested simultaneously.

All regional elections scheduled in 2017 and 2018 or 2020 and 2021 will be rescheduled to 2019 but move to ×Variation of the year.

Voter registration[edit]

Voter registration and turnout, 1955–1997

Year Registered voters Voter turnout %

1955 43,104,464 37,875,299 87.86

1971 58,558,776 54,699,509 93.41

1977 70,378,750 63,998,344 90.93

1982 82,134,195 75,126,306 91.47

1987 93,965,953 85,869,816 91.38

1992 107,605,697 97,789,534 90.88

1997 124,740,987 112,991,160 90.58

Politics of Indonesia

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Indonesia

National emblem of Indonesia Garuda Pancasila.svg

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politics and government of

Indonesia

Pancasila (national philosophy)

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Politics of Indonesia takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Indonesia is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two People's Representative Councils. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The 1945 constitution provided for a limited separation of executive, legislative and judicial power. The governmental system has been described as "presidential with parliamentary characteristics."[1] Following the Indonesian riots of May 1998 and the resignation of President Suharto, several political reforms were set in motion via amendments to the Constitution of Indonesia, which resulted in changes to all branches of government.

Map showing the parties/organisations with the largest vote share per province in Indonesia's elections from 1971 to 2009

A constitutional reform process lasted from 1999 to 2002, with four constitutional amendments producing important changes.[2]

Among these are term limits of up to two five-year terms for the President and Vice President, and measures to institute checks and balances. The highest state institution is the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), whose functions previously included electing the president and vice president (since 2004 the president has been elected directly by the people), establishing broad guidelines of state policy, and amending the constitution. The 695-member MPR includes all 550 members of the People's Representative Council (DPR) (the House of Representatives) plus 130 "regional representatives" elected by the twenty-six provincial parliaments and sixty-five appointed members from societal groups[3]

The DPR, which is the premier legislative institution, originally included 462 members elected through a mixed proportional/district representational system and thirty-eight appointed members of the armed forces (TNI) and police (POLRI). TNI/POLRI representation in the DPR and MPR ended in 2004. Societal group representation in the MPR was eliminated in 2004 through further constitutional change.[4][5]

Having served as rubberstamp bodies in the past, the DPR and MPR have gained considerable power and are increasingly assertive in oversight of the executive branch. Under constitutional changes in 2004, the MPR became a bicameral legislature, with the creation of the Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (DPD), in which each province is represented by four members, although its legislative powers are more limited than those of the DPR. Through his appointed cabinet, the president retains the authority to conduct the administration of the government.[6]

Joko Widodo and Family pilgrimage to mecca

A general election in June 1999 produced the first freely elected national, provincial and regional parliaments in over forty years. In October 1999 the MPR elected a compromise candidate, Abdurrahman Wahid, as the country's fourth president, and Megawati Sukarnoputri — a daughter of Sukarno, the country's first president — as the vice president. Megawati's PDI-P party had won the largest share of the vote (34%) in the general election, while Golkar, the dominant party during the Soeharto era, came in second (22%). Several other, mostly Islamic parties won shares large enough to be seated in the DPR. Further democratic elections took place in 2004 and 2009.

The Indonesian political system before and after the constitutional amendments

Executive branch[edit]

Main office holders

Office Name Party Since

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Democratic Party 20 October 2004

President-elect Joko Widodo Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle 20 October 2014

The president and vice president are selected by vote of the citizens for five-year terms. Prior to 2004, they were chosen by People's Consultative Assembly. The last election was held 8 July 2009. The president heads the United Indonesia Cabinet (Kabinet Indonesia Bersatu) The President of Indonesia is directly elected for a maximum of two five-year terms, and is the head of state, commander-in-chief of Indonesian armed forces and responsible for domestic governance and policy-making and foreign affairs. The president appoints a cabinet, who do not have to be elected members of the legislature.[7]

Legislative branch[edit]

The legislative building complex

People's Representative Council.

The People's Consultative Assembly (Indonesian: Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat, MPR) is the legislative branch in Indonesia's political system. Following elections in 2004, the MPR became a bicameral parliament, with the creation of the DPD as its second chamber in an effort to increase regional representation.[8] The Regional Representatives Council (Indonesian: Dewan Perwakilan Daerah, DPD) is the upper house of The People's Consultative Assembly. The lower house is The People's Representative Council (Indonesian: Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, DPR), sometimes referred to as the House of Representatives, which has 550 members, elected for a five-year term by proportional representation in multi-member constituencies.

Political parties and elections[edit]

For other political parties see List of political parties in Indonesia. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Indonesia.

The General Elections Commission (Indonesian: Komisi Pemilihan Umum, KPU ) is the body responsible for running both parliamentary and presidential elections in Indonesia. Article 22E(5) of the Constitution rules that the Commission is national, permanent, and independent. Prior to the General Election of 2004, KPU was made up of members who were also members of political parties. However, members of KPU must now be non-partisan.

Main article: Indonesian presidential election, 2009

e • d Summary of the 8 July 2009 Indonesian presidential election results

Seats Votes %

Democratic Party coalition

Presidential candidate: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Running mate: Boediono 314 73,874,562 60.80

Democratic Party (Partai Demokrat, PD)

150 —

Prosperous Justice Party (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, PKS)

57 —

National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional, PAN)

43 —

United Development Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan, PPP)

37 —

National Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, PKB)

27 —

18 unseated parties

0 —

Indonesian Democratic Party – Struggle and Great Indonesia Movement Party coalition

Presidential candidate: Megawati Sukarnoputri

Running mate: Prabowo Subianto 121 32,548,105 26.79

Indonesian Democratic Party – Struggle (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, PDI–P)

95 —

Great Indonesia Movement Party (Partai Gerakan Indonesia Raya, Gerindra)

26 —

7 unseated parties

0 —

Golkar and People's Conscience Party coalition

Presidential candidate: Jusuf Kalla

Running mate: Wiranto 125 15,081,814 12.41

Party of the Functional Groups (Partai Golongan Karya, Golkar)

107 —

People's Conscience Party (Partai Hati Nurani Rakyat, Hanura)

18 —

Total 560 121,504,481 100.00

Source: Tempo[9] and Jakarta Globe[10]

Note: A party or coalition had to win 112 (20 percent) of 560 People's Representative Council seats in the

April legislative election in order to nominate candidates for president and vice president.

Main article: Indonesian legislative election, 2009

e • d Summary of the 9 April 2009 Indonesian People's Representative Council election results

Parties Votes % Seats % +/-

Democratic Party (Partai Demokrat, PD) 21,655,295 20.85 148 26.43 +93

Party of the Functional Groups (Partai Golongan Karya, Golkar) 15,031,497 14.45 106 18.93 -22

Indonesian Democratic Party – Struggle (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, PDI–P) 14,576,388 14.03 94 16.79 -15

Prosperous Justice Party (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, PKS) 8,204,946 7.88 57 10.18 +12

National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional, PAN) 6,273,462 6.01 46 8.21 -7

United Development Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan, PPP) 5,544,332 5.32 38 6.79 -20

National Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, PKB) 5,146,302 4.94 28 5.00 -24

Great Indonesia Movement Party (Partai Gerakan Indonesia Raya, Gerindra) 4,642,795 4.46 26 4.64 n/a

People's Conscience Party (Partai Hati Nurani Rakyat, Hanura) 3,925,620 3.77 17 3.03 n/a

Crescent Star Party (Partai Bulan Bintang, PBB) 1,864,642 1.79 0 0.00 -11

Ulema National Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Nasional Ulama, PKNU) 1,527,509 1.47 0 0.00 n/a

Prosperous Peace Party (Partai Damai Sejahtera, PDS) 1,522,032 1.48 0 0.00 -13

Concern for the Nation Functional Party (Partai Karya Peduli Bangsa, PKPB) 1,461,375 1.40 0 0.00 –2

Reform Star Party (Partai Bintang Reformasi, PBR) 1,264,150 1.21 0 0.00 –14

National People's Concern Party (Partai Peduli Rakyat Nasional, PPRN) 1,260,950 1.21 0 0.00 n/a

Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (Partai Keadilan dan Persatuan Indonesia, PKPI) 936,133 0.90 0 0.00 –1

Democratic Renewal Party (Partai Demokrasi Pembaruan, PDP) 896,959 0.86 0 0.00 n/a

National Front Party (Partai Barisan Nasional, Barnas) 760,712 0.73 0 0.00 n/a

Indonesian Workers and Employers Party (Partai Pengusaha dan Pekerja Indonesia, PPPI) 745,965 0.72 0 0.00 n/a

Democratic Nationhood Party (Partai Demokrasi Kebangsaan, PDK) 671,356 0.64 0 0.00 –4

Archipelago Republic Party (Partai Republik Nusantara, PRN) 631,814 0.61 0 0.00 n/a

Regional Unity Party (Partai Persatuan Daerah, PPD) 553,299 0.53 0 0.00 ±0

Patriot Party (Partai Patriot) 547,798 0.53 0 0.00 ±0

Indonesian National Populist Fortress Party (Partai Nasional Benteng Kerakyatan Indonesia, PNBKI) 468,856 0.45 0 0.00 ±0

Sovereignty Party (Partai Kedaulatan) 438,030 0.42 0 0.00 n/a

Indonesian Youth Party (Partai Pemuda Indonesia, PPI) 415,563 0.40 0 0.00 n/a

National Sun Party (Partai Matahari Bangsa, PMB) 415,294 0.40 0 0.00 n/a

Functional Party of Struggle (Partai Karya Perjuangan, PKP) 351,571 0.34 0 0.00 n/a

Pioneers' Party (Partai Pelopor) 345,092 0.33 0 0.00 –3

Indonesian Democratic Party of Devotion (Partai Kasih Demokrasi Indonesia, PKDI) 325,771 0.31 0 0.00 n/a

Prosperous Indonesia Party (Partai Indonesia Sejahtera, PIS) 321,019 0.31 0 0.00 n/a

Indonesian National Party Marhaenism (Partai Nasional Indonesia Marhaenisme, PNI Marhaenisme) 317,443 0.30 0 0.00 –1

Labor Party (Partai Buruh) 265,369 0.25 0 0.00 ±0

New Indonesia Party of Struggle (Partai Perjuangan Indonesia Baru, PPIB) 198,803 0.19 0 0.00 ±0

Indonesian Nahdlatul Community Party (Partai Persatuan Nahdlatul Ummah Indonesia, PPNUI) 146,831 0.14 0 0.00 ±0

Indonesian Unity Party (Partai Sarikat Indonesia, PSI) 141,558 0.14 0 0.00 ±0

Indonesian Democratic Vanguard Party (Partai Penegak Demokrasi Indonesia, PPDI) 139,988 0.13 0 0.00 –1

Freedom Party (Partai Merdeka) 111,609 0.11 0 0.00 ±0

Total 104,048,118 100.00 560 100.00 +10

Source: General Election Commission[11] and People's Representative Council website[12]

Note: Seat change totals are displayed only for parties which stood in the previous election, including those which changed party names

Parties contesting in Aceh only

Aceh Party (Partai Aceh) 1,007,713 46.91 N/A N/A N/A

Aceh Sovereignty Party (Partai Daulat Atjeh, PDA) 39,706 1.85 N/A N/A N/A

Independent Voice of the Acehnese Party (Partai Suara Independen Rakyat Aceh, SIRA) 38,157 1.78 N/A N/A N/A

Aceh People's Party (Partai Rakyat Aceh, PRA) 36,574 1.70 N/A N/A N/A

Aceh Unity Party (Partai Bersatu Aceh, PBA) 16,602 0.77 N/A N/A N/A

Prosperous and Safe Aceh Party (Partai Aceh Aman Sejahtera, PAAS) 11,117 0.52 N/A N/A N/A

Source: Edwin Yustian Driyartana (2010) p81 [13] and Sigit Pamungkas (2011) p22, [14]

Note: Aceh local parties only contested for the regional legislative assemblies, not the DPR. Results are included here for completeness. The remainder of the votes were won by national parties.

Judicial branch[edit]

The Indonesian Supreme Court (Indonesian: Mahkamah Agung) is the highest level of the judicial branch. Its judges are appointed by the president. The Constitutional Court rules on constitutional and political matters (Indonesian: Mahkamah Konstitusi), while a Judicial Commission (Indonesian: Komisi Yudisial) oversees the judges.[15]

Foreign relations[edit]

Main article: Foreign relations of Indonesia

During the regime of president Suharto, Indonesia built strong relations with the United States and had difficult relations with the People's Republic of China owing to Indonesia's anti-communist policies and domestic tensions with the Chinese community. It received international denunciation for its annexation of East Timor in 1978. Indonesia is a founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations, and thereby a member of both ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit. Since the 1980s, Indonesia has worked to develop close political and economic ties between South East Asian nations, and is also influential in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Indonesia was heavily criticized between 1975 and 1999 for allegedly suppressing human rights in East Timor, and for supporting violence against the East Timorese following the latter's secession and independence in 1999. Since 2001, the government of Indonesia has co-operated with the U.S. in cracking down on Islamic fundamentalism and terrorist gro

ups.

Constitution of Indonesia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Constitution of Indonesia

Ratified 18 August 1945

Author(s) Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence

Purpose Independence of Indonesia in 1945

Indonesia

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The Constitution of Indonesia (Indonesian: Undang-Undang Dasar Republik Indonesia 1945, UUD '45) is the basis for the government of the Indonesia.

The constitution was written in June, July and August 1945, when ×Indonesia was emerging from Japanese control at the end of World War II. It was abrogated by the Federal Constitution of 1949 and the Provisional Constitution of 1950, but restored on 5 July 1959.

The 1945 Constitution then set forth the Pancasila, the five nationalist principles devised by Sukarno, as the embodiment of basic principles of an independent Indonesian state. It provides for a limited separation of executive, legislative, and judicial powers. The governmental system has been described as "presidential with parliamentary characteristics."[1] Following the Indonesian 1998 Upheaval and the resignation of President Suharto, several political reforms were set in motion, via amendments to the Constitution of Indonesia, which resulted in changes to all branches of government as well as additional human rights provisions.

History[edit]

The writing[edit]

The Japanese invaded the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) in 1942, defeated the Dutch colonial regime, and occupied it for the duration of the Second World War.

Indonesia then fell under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Southern Expeditionary Army (Nanpo Gun), based in Saigon, Vietnam. The Japanese divided ×Indonesian territory into three military government regions, based on the largest islands: "Sumatra" was under the Japanese 25th Army, "Java" under the Japanese 16th Army and "East Indonesia" (the eastern island), including part of "Borneo" (Sarawak and ×Sabah under Japanese 38th Army) was under the Imperial Japanese Navy. As the ×Japanese military position became increasingly untenable, especially after their defeat at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, more and more Indonesians were appointed to official positions in the occupation.

On 29 April 1945, the 16th Army established Badan Penyelidik Usaha-usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (BPUPKI; Indonesian: Agency for Investigating Efforts for the Preparation of Indonesian Independence), for Java. The 25th Army later established a BPUPKI for Sumatra.[2] No such organisation existed for the remainder of Indonesia.

The BPUPKI in Java, when established, consisted of 62 members, but there were 68 in the second session. It was chaired by Dr Radjiman Wedyodiningrat (1879–1951). The future president Sukarno and vice-president Mohammad Hatta were among its members. They met in the building that had been used by the Dutch colonial quasi-parliament, the Volksraad ("People's Council") in central Jakarta. It held two sessions, 29 May-1 June and 10–17 July 1945. The first session discussed general matters, including the philosophy of the state for future independent Indonesia, Pancasila. the philosophy was formulated by nine members of BPUPKI: Soekarno, Hatta, Yamin, Maramis, Soebardjo, Wahid Hasjim, Muzakkir, Agus Salim and Abikoesno.[2] The outcome was something of a compromise, and included an obligation for Muslims to follow syari'ah Islamic law, the so-called Jakarta Charter. The second session produced a provisional constitution made up of 37 articles, 4 transitory provision and 2 additional provision. The nation would be a unitary state and a republic.

On 26 July 1945, the Allies called for the unconditional surrender of Japan in the Potsdam Declaration. The Japanese authorities, realizing they would probably lose the war, began to make firm plans for Indonesian independence, more to spite the Dutch than anything else.[3] On 6 August, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. On 7 August, the Nanpo Gun headquarters announced that an Indonesian leader could enact a body called the Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (PPKI; "Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence"). The dropping of a second atomic bomb, on Nagasaki, on 9 August prompted the Japanese to surrender unconditionally on 15 August 1945. Sukarno and Hatta declared independence on 17 August 1945, and the PPKI met the following day.[2][4]

In the meeting chaired by Sukarno, the 27 members, including Hatta, Supomo, Wachid Hasjim, Sam Ratulangi and Subardjo, began to discuss the proposed constitution article by article. The Committee made some fundamental changes, including the removal 7 words from the text of Jakarta Charter which became the preambule of the constitution, and the clause stating that the president must be a Muslim. The historical compromise was made possible in part by the influence of Mohamad Hatta and Tengku Mohamad Hasan. The Committee then officially adopted the Constitution.[2]

Other constitutions[edit]

The 1945 Constitution (usually referred to by the Indonesian acronym UUD'45) remained in force until it was replaced by the Federal Constitution on December 27, 1949. This was in turn replaced by the Provisional Constitution on 17 August 1950. In 1955 elections were held for the House of Representatives as well as for a Constitutional Assembly (Indonesia Konstituante) to draw up a definitive constitution. However, this became bogged down in disputes between nationalists and Islamists, primarily over the role of Islam in Indonesia. Sukarno became increasingly disillusioned by this stagnation and with the support of the military, who saw a much greater constitutional role for themselves, began to push for a return to the 1945 Constitution. This was put to the vote on 30 May 1 June and 2 June 1959, but the motion failed to gain the required two-thirds majority. Finally, on 5 July 1959 President Sukarno issued a decree dissolving the assembly and returning to the 1945 Constitution.[5]

Constitutional amendments[edit]

The Indonesian political system before and after the constitutional amendments

Suharto, who officially became president in 1968, refused to countenance any changes to the Constitution despite the fact that even Sukarno had viewed it as a provisional document.[6] In 1983, the People's Consultative Assembly passed a decree stipulating the need for a nationwide referendum to be held before any amendments were made to the Constitution. This led to a 1985 law requiring such a referendum to have a 90% turnout and for any changes to be approved by a 90% vote. Then in 1997, the dissident Sri-Bintang Pamungkas and two colleagues were arrested and jailed for publishing a proposed modified version of the 1945 Constitution.[7]

With the fall of Suharto and the New Order regime in 1998, the 1983 decree and 1985 law were rescinded and the way was clear to amend the Constitution to make it more democratic. This was done in four stages at sessions of the People's Consultative Assembly in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. As a result, the original Constitution has grown from 37 articles to 73, of which only 11% remain unchanged from the original constitution.[8]

The most important of the changes were:[9] and [10]

Limiting presidents to two terms of office

Establishing a Regional Representative Council (DPD), which together with the People's Representative Council (DPR) makes up an entirely elected People's Consultative Assembly.

Purifying and empowering presidential system of government, instead of a semi presidential one.

Stipulating democratic, direct elections for the president, instead of the president being elected by the People's Consultative Assembly

Reorganizing the mechanism of horizontal relation among state organs, instead of giving the highest constitutional position to the People's Assembly.

Abolishing the Supreme Advisory Council[11]

Mandating direct, general, free, secret, honest, and fair elections for the ×House of Representatives and regional legislatures

Establishing a Constitutional Court for guarding and defending the constitutional system as set forth in the constitution.

Establishing a Judicial Commission

The addition of ten entirely new articles concerning human rights.

Among the above changes, the establishment of ×Constitutional Court is regarded as a successful innovation in ×Indonesia constitutional system. The court was established in 2003 by 9 justices head by Professor Jimly Asshiddiqie,a prominent scholar from the ×University of Indonesia. There are five jurisdictions of the court, i.e. (i) constitutional review of law, (ii) disputes of constitutional jurisdiction between state institutions, (iii) disputes on electoral results, (iv) dissolution of political parties,and (v) impeachment of the president/vice president. The other icon of success in ×Indonesian reform is the establishment of the ×Corruption Eradication Commission which independently fights against corruption and grafts. Corruption in ×Indonesia is regarded an extraordinary crime.

Titiek Suharto (Wife) and Prabowo

The legal standing[edit]

Ads by OffersWizard×The 1945 Constitution has the highest legal authority in the nation's system of government. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of government must defer to it. The Constitution was originally officially enacted on 18 August 1945. The attached Elucidation, drawn up by Prof. Raden Soepomo (1903–1958), Indonesia's first justice minister, was officially declared to be a part of the Constitution on 5 July 1959. The Preamble, the body of the Constitution and the Elucidation were all reaffirmed as inseparable parts of the Constitution in 1959, and then again in Provisional MPR Decree No. XX/MPRS/1966.[12] However, since the amendments, the Elucidation has not been updated, and still refers to the original document, including parts that have been removed, such as Chapter IV. During the sessions in the People's Assembly, all the ideas setforth in the Elucidation was transformed become articles in the new amendments.[13] Then, final article of the amended Constitution states that the Constitution consists of the Preamble and the articles.[14]

Contents[edit]

Preamble[edit]

The preamble to the 1945 Constitution of ×Indonesia contains the Pancasila state philosophy.

Chapter I: Form of state and sovereignty[edit]

States that ×Indonesia is a unitary republic based on law with sovereignty in the hands of the people and exercised through laws.

Chapter II: The People's Consultative Assembly[edit]

States that the People's Consultative Assembly is made up of the members of the People's Representative Council and the Regional Representatives Council, all of the members of both bodies being directly elected. The People's Consultative Assembly changes and passes laws, appoints the president, and can only dismiss the president or vice-president during their terms of office according to law.

Chapter III: Executive powers of the state[edit]

Outlines the powers of the president. States the requirements for the president and vice-president. Limits the president and vice-president to two terms of office and states that they be elected in a general election. Specifies the impeachment procedure. Includes the wording of the presidential and vice-presidential oath and promise of office.

Chapter V: Ministers of state[edit]

Four short articles giving the cabinet a constitutional basis. The president appoints ministers.

Chapter VI: Local government[edit]

Explains how ×Indonesia is divided into provinces, regencies and cities, each with its own administration chosen by general election. The leaders of these administrations are "chosen democratically". Autonomy is applied as widely as possible. The state recognizes the special nature of certain regions.

Chapter VII: The People's Representative Council[edit]

Its members are elected by general election. It has the right to pass laws, and has legislative, budgeting and oversight functions. It has the right to request government statements and to put forward opinions.

Chapter VII-A: The Regional Representatives Council[edit]

An equal number of members is chosen from each province via a general election. The Council can suggest bills related to regional issues to the People's Representative Council. It also advises the ×House on matters concerning taxes, education and religion.

Chapter VII-B: General elections[edit]

See also: Economy of Indonesia

States that major means of production are to be controlled by the state. Also states that the state takes care of the poor.

Chapter XV: The flag, language, coat of arms, and national anthem[edit]

Specifies the flag, official language, coat of arms, and national anthem of Indonesia.

Chapter XVI: Amendment of the constitution[edit]

Lays down the procedures for proposing changes and amending the Constitution. Two-thirds of the members of the People's Consultative Assembly must be present: any proposed amendment requires a simple majority of the entire People's Consultative Assembly membership. The form of the unitary state cannot be changed.

Transitional provisions[edit]

States that laws and bodies continue to exist until new ones are specified in this constitution. Calls for the establishment of a Constitutional court before 17 August 2003.

Additional provisions[edit]

Tasks the People's Consultativ

Corruption in Indonesia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Political corruption

Concepts

Bribery Cronyism Kleptocracy Economics of corruption Electoral fraud Nepotism Slush fund Plutocracy Political scandal

Corruption by country

Europe

Albania Armenia Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Cyprus Czech Republic Greece Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Poland Portugal Romania Spain Sweden Switzerland Ukraine

Asia

Afghanistan Bahrain Bangladesh China India Indonesia Iran Kyrgyzstan North Korea Pakistan Philippines South Korea

Africa

Angola Congo Egypt Ghana Kenya Mauritius Nigeria Somalia South Africa Zimbabwe

North America

Canada Mexico United States Cuba

South America

Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Paraguay Peru Venezuela

Oceania and the Pacific

Australia New Zealand Papua New Guinea

Transcontinental countries

Russia Turkey

v t e

Ads by OffersWizard×There are two key areas in the public sector in which corruption in Indonesia can be found. These are the justice and civil service sectors. While hard data on corruption is difficult to collect, corruption in Indonesia is clearly seen through public opinion, collated through surveys as well as observation of how each system runs.[1] Corruption within the justice sector is seen by its ineffectiveness to enforce laws, failure to uphold justice, hence undermining the rule of law. The areas of corruption within this sector include the police and the courts. In the 2008 Public Sector Integrity Survey, the Supreme Court ranked the lowest in integrity in comparison to the other public services in Indonesia.[2] The courts were viewed to make decisions unfairly and have high unofficial costs.

Evidence of corruption within the civil service comes from surveys conducted within the sector. Some surveys found out that almost half were found to have received bribes. Civil servants themselves admit to corruption.[1]

In January 2012, it was reported that Indonesia has lost as much as Rp 2.13 trillion (US$238.6 million) to corruption in 2011. A study conducted by Indonesia Corruption Watch, a non-profit organization co-ordinated by Danang Widoyoko, said that embezzlement accounted for most of the money lost and that “government investment was the sector most prone to graft.”[3]

Companies are concerned about red tape and widespread extortion in the process of obtaining licences and permits, and they often faced demand for irregular fees or concessions based on personal relationships when obtaining government contracts. Companies have also reported regular demand for cash payments and expectations for gifts and special treatments by Indonesian officials.[4]

Economic and social costs[edit]

Corruption is an important development challenge that poses economic and social costs in Indonesia. Interference in public laws and policies for the sake of personal or private gain has weakened the competitiveness of Indonesia.[5]

About one-quarter of ministries suffer from budgetary diversions in Indonesia. Households spent approximately 1% while enterprises spent at least 5% of monthly company revenue on unofficial payments. Social costs due to corruption in Indonesia include the weakening of government institutions and the rule of law.[1] Increases in crime due to smuggling and extortion involve the institutions that are supposed to be protecting citizens. The people who suffer most are the poor[6] as they are pressured to finance payments through their already tight budgets and the effectiveness of social services are less accessible indirectly. These concerns were voiced by the poor urban communities of Indonesia themselves in a joint World Bank-Partnership for Governance Reform research project, entitled “Corruption and the Poor”.[7]

Efforts to curb corruption[edit]

There have been some efforts to battle corruption with the creation of the ombudsman and the Assets Auditing Commission (KPKPN).[8] It has been an important agenda and part of Indonesia's official reform program since May 1998. However, the efforts made are questionable as there has been limited success to reduce corruption. Some obstacles that impeded the improvement of corruption included political and economic constraints, and the complex nature of the corruption itself.[9]

Most recently, these efforts have taken the shape of ordering corruption convicts to pay back all the money they have stolen. On 6 March 2012, the Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Ridwan Sanjaya, an official from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, to six years in prison for rigging a tender bid for a home solar energy system project in 2009 worth IDR526 billion (US$57.86 million).[10]

Ridwan was found guilty of accepting IDR14.6 billion in kickbacks, resulting in IDR131 billion in state losses. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that it will use Ridwan’s verdict as material to develop the investigation on the graft scandal involving the Solar Home System project.[11]

Indonesian presidential election, 2014

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Indonesian presidential election, 2014

Indonesia

2009 ←

9 July 2014

→ 2019

Turnout 69.58%[1]

Joko Widodo, 2012. Prabowo Subanto

Nominee Joko Widodo Prabowo Subianto

Party PDI–P Gerindra

Running mate Jusuf Kalla Hatta Rajasa

Popular vote 70,997,833 62,576,444

Percentage 53.15% 46.85%

2014IndonesianPresidentialElectionMap.png

Results of the election showing the candidates with the largest share of votes in each of the 33 provinces of Indonesia. Joko Widodo: red; Prabowo Subianto: crimson.

President before election

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Demokrat

Elected President

Joko Widodo

PDI–P

The 3rd Indonesian presidential election was held on 9 July 2014[2] and matched former general Prabowo Subianto against the governor of Jakarta, Joko Widodo; incumbent president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in office.[3][4] On 22 July the General Elections Commission announced a Widodo's victory. He and his vice-president, Jusuf Kalla, are expected to be sworn-in on 20 October 2014, for a 5-year term.

According to the 2008 election law, only parties or coalitions controlling 20% of DPR seats or winning 25% of the popular votes in the 2014 parliamentary elections are eligible to nominate a candidate. This law was challenged in the Constitutional Court,[5] but in late January 2014 the Court ruled that the requirement would stand for this election.[6] No party exceeded the threshold in the 2014 legislative elections, therefore two coalitions were formed.

Arrangement for the election[edit]

Arrangements for the conduct of elections in Indonesia are carried out under the supervision of the General Elections Commission (Komisi Pemilihan Umum, or KPU).[7]

The presidential elections in 2014 will be carried out in accordance with the Law, (Undang-undang, or UU) No 42 of 2008 about the election of a President and Vice-President.[8]

Arrangements for nominations

Megawati and Joko Widodo

An important requirement, set out in Law No 42 of 2008 (Clause 9), is that nominations of candidates for the presidential election may only be made by a party (or coalition of parties) which has at least 20% of the seats in the national parliament (the DPR, or the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat) or which received 25% of national votes in the previous national legislative election for the DPR. In practice, these conditions set a rather high bar for nomination. The likelihood is that only candidates supported by one of the major parties, perhaps with some support from several of the minor parties, will be able to meet the conditions for nomination. Among other things, the effect of this requirement is likely to be a strict limit on the number of candidates who will be able to stand for the presidency.

Voting system[edit]

Indonesia is working towards e-voting in hope of implementing the new system in the 2014 general elections.[9] The basis of the e-voting system is electronic identity cards (e-KTP) which were expected to be ready nationwide by 2012 and have been tried in six districts/cities, namely Padang, West Sumatra; Denpasar, Bali; Jembrana, Bali; Yogyakarta, Java; Cilegon, West Java; and Makassar, (South Sulawesi).[10]

However, the system was not ready for the election. Therefore, voters still voted on paper by punching a hole in one of the two candidates' photograph, number, or name. The ballots were then collected and counted at the village level, then city/regency level, province level, and finally the national level.

Political parties[edit]

Candidates for president are nominated as individuals (along with a vice-presidential running partner); however, support from the main political parties is likely to play a key role in influencing the result. Partly for this reason, the highly changeable map of political parties in Indonesia contributes to the uncertainty of political trends in the run-up to the presidential election. In recent years, the number of political parties contesting major elections (for both national and regional parliaments, and the presidential elections) has varied considerably.

In 2004, 24 parties contested the national elections and 16 secured enough seats to be represented in the national parliament.

In 2009, 38 parties contested the national elections and 9 secured enough seats to be represented in the national parliament.

In 2014, 12 parties contested the national legislative elections on 9 April and three more were authorised to run candidates in Aceh. (Brief details of the parties are listed at the relevant page on website of the Electoral Commission.) It is expected that candidates for president who hope to mount an effective campaign will need to secure the support of at least one of the major parties as well as several other smaller parties. Details of the twelve main national parties who qualified to mount nation-wide political campaigns are as follows:

Summary of registered parties support in the 2014 presidential election (Nationwide; excluding Aceh-only parties)

Known as Party English name Supporting DPR seats DPR seats % Legislative votes %

Gerindra Partai Gerakan Indonesia Raya Great Indonesia Movement Party Nominee: Prabowo Subianto (Gerindra)

Running mate: Hatta Rajasa (PAN) Majority coalition:

Gerindra/Golkar/PPP/PKS/PAN/Demokrat

353 / 560 63.04% 59.12%

Golkar Partai Golongan Karya Golkar

PPP Partai Persatuan Pembangunan United Development Party

PKS Partai Keadilan Sejahtera Prosperous Justice Party

PAN Partai Amanat Nasional National Mandate Party

PBB Partai Bulan Bintang Crescent Star Party

PD Partai Demokrat Democratic Party *

PDI–P Partai Demokrasi Indonesia – Perjuangan Indonesian Democratic Party – Struggle Nominee: Joko Widodo[11] (PDI-P)

Running mate: Jusuf Kalla (Golkar) Minority coalition:

PDI–P/Hanura/NasDem/PKB

207 / 560 36.96% 40.88%

Hanura Partai Hati Nurani Rakyat People's Conscience Party

NasDem Partai Nasional Demokrat National Democratic Party

PKB Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa National Awakening Party

PKPI Partai Keadilan dan Persatuan Indonesia Indonesian Justice and Unity Party

Does not pass 2014 Legislative Threshold

Parties that are in light grey shows that they do not pass the 2014 Legislative Threshold of 2.5% of the national legislative vote. They are also banned from participating the next election due to the failing of passing the Electoral Threshold of 2.5% of the national legislative vote in 2014.

The leader of Democratic Party and incumbent president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is officially neutral in the election.[12]

See also: List of political parties in Indonesia

Candidates[edit]

Nominated[edit]

Former commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command and 2009 vice-presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (Gerindra)

Governor of Jakarta and former Mayor of Solo (Surakarta) Joko Widodo (PDI–P)

Previously considered potential[edit]

Before the national legislative elections on 9 April 2014, the following candidates had declared their intention to run for President. Following the legislative elections, these candidates were unable to reach the threshold.

Party Candidate Details

Golkar Aburizal Bakrie Chairman of the Golkar party.[13] Formerly, there had been discontent in some quarters within the party about Bakrie's candidature. There had been some talk of a possible move to reconsider the decision to nominate him.[14] However Golkar now appears united behind him as the official candidate.

Hanura Wiranto Former Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, 2004 presidential candidate, and 2009 vice-presidential candidate[15]

Crescent Star Party Yusril Ihza Mahendra Former chairman of the Crescent Star Party. A top lawyer and a specialist in government laws of Indonesia.[16]

United Development Party Suryadharma Ali Chairman of the PPP(United Development Party). Recently been announced official suspect by the Corruption Erradication Commission(KPK) on the case of Umroh budget corruption.

Polling[edit]

NOTE: The quality of polling in Indonesia varies considerably. Furthermore, some of the polling institutions provide little information about their polling methods. The data set out below should therefore be treated with care.

Polls conducted before nominations [show]

Timeline[edit]

NOTE: The following timeline makes reference to some dates which refer to the national parliamentary elections due in mid-2014 as well as other events in addition to the presidential election. These dates are noted because events leading up to the national parliamentary elections will, in the minds of voters and party organisers, be closely linked to the presidential election.

Date Event Remarks

Jan 2014 Preparations During January and February the Democrat Party held public meetings in main towns in Indonesia to allow the main candidates for the Democrat Party nomination to test their support.[19]

March Campaigning Nation-wide campaigning for the national legislative (parliamentary and assembly) elections

6–8 April Cooling-off period

9 April Legislative elections Simultaneous national elections for the national parliament (DPR, 560 seats), 33 provincial assemblies (DPRD I, 2,137 seats) and 497 district (kabupaten and kota) assemblies (DPRD II, 17,560 seats)

See also: Indonesian legislative election, 2014

9 May Results Results of the legislative elections are required to be announced within 30 days of the polling day.[20]

Early May Nomination The names of all candidates running (jointly) for the positions of president and vice-president must be formally logged at the Indonesian Electoral Commission within seven days after the results of the legislative elections are announced (see above).[21]

31 May Announcement The General Elections Commission announce the names of the presidential candidates

4 June – 5 July Campaigning Nation-wide campaign by presidential candidates

6–8 July Cooling-off period No campaign of any form is allowed

9 July Election Presidential election

10–12 July Recapitulation At the sub-district level

10–14 July Recapitulation For ballots from abroad

13–15 July Recapitulation At the district level

16–17 July Recapitulation At the municipality/regency level

18–19 July Recapitulation At the province level

20–22 July Recapitulation At the national level

22–23 July Results Results of the presidential election are required to be announced within 14 days of the polling day.[20]

20 October Inauguration Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono completes his term and the seventh president is sworn in

Counting and results[edit]

Following the election on 9 July 2014, Widodo announced his victory based on quick counts of votes from several zones; most of these independent pollsters indicated a Widodo victory (52–53% of votes to Prabowo's 46–48%).[22] Prabowo also claimed victory, citing other polls.[23] As the official count continued, the KPU released scans of the tally (C1) forms from each polling station on its official website, allowing downloads of the official data.[24]

In the lead up to the official announcement of the official results by the KPU, Prabowo pushed for the Commission to delay the announcement by two weeks, allowing his party to investigate claimed manipulations of the voting process. This request was denied.[25] The Prabowo camp also called for a new vote in some zones.[26] However, several Prabowo supporters congratulated Widodo on his election or conceded election. PAN politician Hanafi Rais, writing three days before the results were announced, sent a press release which stated "we congratulate Bapak Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla — who will helm the national leadership for the next five years".[1] The same day, Prabowo's campaign manager Mahfud M.D. returned his mandate to Prabowo, stating that the election was over;[1] he was replaced by Lt. Gen. Yunus Yosfiah on 22 July 2014.[27]

Out of fear that inter-party tension could lead to riots such as those which led to the downfall of former president Suharto, the Indonesian government deployed over 250,000 police officers throughout the country. In central Jakarta, hundreds of police were stationed – particularly around the KPU's offices.[28] Following bomb threats against Jakarta City Hall, after the KPU's announcement military officials tightened security around it Commission's headquarters.[29] A group of Prabowo supporters staged a non-violent protest near the offices.[28]

Prabowo withdrawal[edit]

On 22 July 2014, the day that the KPU was due to announce its official tally, Prabowo withdrew from the recapitulation process after having insisted on his victory since the initial quick counts were released. He attributed this withdrawal to Indonesia "failing in its duty to democracy" because of "massive cheating that is structured and systematic",[30] and stated that he and Hatta "exercise our constitutional right to reject the presidential election and declare it unconstitutional".[25] His speech, aired live, implied that he would challenge the results in the Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konstitusi).[30][30] Later reports indicated confusion over whether Prabowo had resigned from the election or simply rejected the count.[26]

According to Douglas Ramage of the Jakarta-based Bower's Asia Group, this was the first time since reformasi (the Reformation) began in 1998 that the legitimacy of the election process has been questioned; he declared that the country was entering "uncharted territory".[25] The legality of a Prabowo challenge is questionable, as – if he withdrew – he is no longer considered a presidential candidate.[25] If he can make the challenge, according to The Jakarta Post, the gap between the two candidates is sufficient to make such a challenge difficult.[31] Under the presidential election law, Prabowo could face up to six years in prison and a 100 billion rupiah ($10 million) fine for withdrawing.[25][30]

Following the announcement, the value of the Indonesian rupiah dropped by 0.3 percent, and the JSX Composite fell by 0.9 percent.[26] Observers denied Prabowo's allegations of cheating, finding that the elections were "generally fair and free"; Maswadi Rauf of the University of Indonesia stated that there were "no sign of significant fraud", and that Prabowo's withdrawal simply reflected "the real attitudes of the elite, who are not yet ready to accept losing".[32] In a survey, 90 percent of the Indonesian populace were satisfied with the KPU's handling of the election.[24]

Announcement and reaction[edit]

After Prabowo's withdrawal, his witnesses also left the announcement ceremony. However, the official tally continued; the Commission chief, Husni Kamil Manik, said that they had already fulfilled their obligations by inviting the witnesses.[33] A victory for Widodo was expected,[26] and realised hours later, although the initially planned 4:00 p.m. announcement was delayed for four hours.[33] The Commission gave Widodo a victory of 53.15 percent of the vote (representing 70.99 million voters), to Prabowo's 46.85 percent (62.57 million votes).[31] This was the closest vote in the history of free elections in the country; the two previous elections, in 2004 and 2009, had been landslide victories for Yudhoyono.[34]

The Prabowo camp continued to reject the KPU's count, announcing that they trusted the count provided by the PKS, which gave a Prabowo victory, more than the Commission's.[24] Prabowo's camp later stated that it intended to report the KPU to the police for continuing its recapitulation despite calls for a delay and questions of the vote's validity.[24]

After the announcement, Widodo stated that, growing up under the authoritarian and corrupt New Order, he would have never expected someone with a lower-class background to become president. The New York Times reported him as saying, "now, it's quite similar to America, yes? There is the American dream, and here we have the Indonesian dream.".[35] Widodo was the first Indonesian president to not be from the military or the political elite, and the political commentator Salim Said gave the popular view of the politician "someone who is our neighbour, who decided to get into politics and run for president".[35]

The Singaporean prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, posted his congratulations on Twitter minutes after the election, expressing hope that Widodo would work towards improving relations between the two countries.[36] Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia, stated that Widodo's election was a "milestone" for the development of democracy in Indonesia, and stated his hope that the two countries' relations could be reinforced following a decline caused by espionage scandals and human trafficking.[37] However, Prabowo asked for world leaders to withhold congratulatory statements to Jokowi.(Continoe)

Indonesia in Focus

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Unfinished journey (48)

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