Golkar’s Takeover and the Waning of Joko Widodo’s Power

Picture: Ryan Suherlan / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP

In an article by Fulcrum, Made Supriatma analyzes Jokowi’s waning popularity.

Jokowi’s decision to support his former arch-rival, Prabowo, in the February 2024 election came with a quid pro quo: Prabowo had to choose Gibran as his running mate. This ticket went on to win a landslide victory. However, this does not guarantee the longevity of Jokowi’s influence after he steps down. He cannot rely solely on the mercy of Prabowo and the latter’s Advanced Indonesia Coalition (Koalisi Indonesia Maju, KIM) without a firm base.

The takeover of Golkar by Jokowi loyalists is not unprecedented. In early 2021, Jokowi’s ally, former general Moeldoko, who also served as his chief of staff, attempted to seize control of the Democrat Party, founded by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. This attempt, however, ended in total failure. Despite Moeldoko’s denial that he acted on Jokowi’s orders, observers regarded this move as part of Jokowi’s broader strategy to secure political dominance. That Moeldoko faced no repercussions and remained in his influential role as head of the presidential staff suggests at least tacit acceptance of such actions at the highest levels.

In contrast, this year’s Golkar takeover unfolded rapidly. Just ten days after Airlangga resigned, Golkar convened a national conference, which was originally scheduled for December 2024. At this expedited conference, Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and a close Jokowi ally, was unanimously elected as Golkar’s general chairman for 2024-2029.