Humble beginnings: Jokowi with former Indonesian president Megawati Sukarnoputri (right) in Jakarta in 2012.
IT is almost surreal the most popular president of post-Reformasi Indonesia is nominated as one of the world’s most corrupt public figures of 2024. The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) named Joko “Jokowi” Widodo alongside Kenyan President William Ruto, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian billionaire Gautam Adani.
To many people, even his detractors, Jokowi’s inclusion comes as a surprise. It is true that intellectuals and civil society leaders view him with disdain. He is accused of weakening the democratic process, undermining the country’s electoral and judicial institutions, even turning the once powerful Corruption Eradication Commission (better known by its Indonesian acronym KPK) into a toothless tiger.
However he has always been seen as a clean leader, corruption-wise. He has never been seen flouting his wealth. He has not changed his appearance or dress since his years as mayor of Solo. He won his elections as mayor, Governor of Jakarta and the presidency (twice) for being “the people’s leader.” He is always “the guy next door” to everyone. His campaigns are people-centric – going down to them, be among them, be part of them. His use of bantuan sosial or bansos (social help) and sembako (nine essential items for the household) at strategic times endeared him to the poor.
He wears his signature white shirt at almost all functions. However the wife of his eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has been seen flying private planes, donning expensive ornaments and eating at expensive eateries. Members of Dinasti Jokowi have to try harder if they want to look like crazy rich Asians. So, understandably his inclusion created quite a commotion in the country of 270 million people, the most populous nation in Asean.
Jokowi seems rattled this time. He has always engineered a way to dismiss allegations about him, normally with a smile and a humorous line, but not this one. The allegation is simply too much for him. His legacy has been tarnished by allegations of his interference in the legislative and judicial arms. He is condemned for manipulating the Constitutional Court to ensure his son’s nomination as deputy president.
“Show the proof,” he kept repeating when asked about the nomination. OCCPR must present evidence to back their claims, he insisted. He also alleged that there has been too much slander against him. He claimed that he has been unfairly and maliciously framed by OCCPR. He also believed that there is a strong political undertones in the selection.
“People can now use any platform – NGOs, political parties or organisations to make accusations and create harmful narratives,” he argued.
His supporters are quick to point out that it is part of a conspiracy to discredit him. And the normal argument is that this is a Western agenda to undermine a sovereign nation. And to run down a respectable Muslim leader. Jokowi is a victim of an envious NGO with nefarious intent. And of course his hardcore supporters find faults with Jokowi-haters roping in even Annies Baswedan’s supporters (“Anak Abah”) and conniving intellectuals into the fray. Annies was one of the presidential candidates who contested against Prabowo Subianto in February last year.
OCCPR, a non-profit investigative journalism organisation based in Amsterdam has been giving out the notorious awards for “Person of the Year” to those who perpetuate crime and corruption, highlighting their role in undermining democracy and society.
The organisation has defended its decision to nominate Jokowi. According to OCCRP they have no control over who was nominated for suggestions came from people worldwide. While acknowledging that there is no direct evidence that Jokowi is engaged in corruption for personal financial gain but civil society groups and experts are in agreement that he has significantly weakened KPK during his years in power.
OCCPR further argued that there is a strong perception among citizens that corruption is endemic in Indonesia during his reign and that there is a long pattern of abuses of state apparatuses to undermine civil rights and democracy. But many among the legal fraternity and civil society members found the nomination unsurprising given his track record. Jokowi has only himself to blame.
His nomination comes at an awkward time for Prabowo. Corruption is one of the clarion calls of Prabowo’s administration. For someone who is indebted to Jokowi, Prabowo will have to handle the issue delicately considering the deafening demands to investigate whether OCCPR’s allegation holds water. That means, to investigate Jokowi. Jokowi didn’t win the notorious award, ousted Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad did.
But still in Indonesia, the repercussions can be severe.
Johan Jaafar is a veteran journalist. He was formerly chairman of the Consultative and Prevention Panel of the MACC. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
