Sella Rizky Deviani, Ichsan Ali, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his prospective successor, Prabowo Subianto, have exemplified how former adversaries can set aside past animosities and forge unlikely alliances for a seamless transition of power, a senior politician said on Friday.
The relationship between Jokowi and Prabowo has emerged as a guiding light for future leaders in a country where the transfer of power has often been tumultuous, according to National Mandate Party (PAN) Chairman Zulkifli Hasan during an internal gathering in Jakarta.
"History reminds us of the uneasy departures of leaders such as Bung Karno, Soeharto, and Gus Dur," Zulkifli told PAN's regional chapter leaders.
Bung Karno, the moniker of Founding President Sukarno, was in failing health and under house arrest when Soeharto assumed the presidency officially in 1967. Soeharto stepped down amid nationwide protests against his autocratic regime in 1998 after a 32-year tenure. Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, was impeached by the parliament midway through his presidential term in 2001.
"Now observe the rapport between Mr. Prabowo and Mr. Jokowi. Despite Mr. Prabowo's defeat in the 2019 election, he was appointed to a cabinet position, and they have since become allies. The transfer of power will proceed smoothly, yielding greater benefits for Indonesia," Zulkifli said.
The gathering formed part of PAN's preparations for the upcoming simultaneous elections for governors, mayors, and regents nationwide.
"I urge PAN to select gubernatorial, regential, and mayoral candidates with Mr. Jokowi and Mr. Prabowo as benchmarks," he said.
Zulkifli not only underscored the historic significance of the Jokowi-Prabowo relationship but also arranged for both men to meet the participants in person.
The day before, he invited Prabowo to address the gathering, and at its conclusion on Friday, he escorted them to the State Palace to meet the president.
"These people – from Papua to Aceh – admire the president, yet they have never had the opportunity to meet him in person," Zulkifli told reporters at the palace.
He commended the president for his patience in accommodating numerous guests, sharing meals together, and taking individual selfies with each attendee. "That's our president; he epitomizes humility," Zulkifli said.