President's Club, between the hope of uniting national figures and indications of Jokowi's intervention

Six months before the inauguration of the president and vice president for 2024-2029, Prabowo's idea of creating a forum for discussion between the current president and previous presidents resurfaces. Several elite members of the Gerindra Party claim that this idea is an old thought that Prabowo often discussed with the political party members he leads. After Prabowo is elected and inaugurated as the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia in October 2024, the concept is deemed more relevant to be realized.

"There are two contexts. First, of course capacity. If we want to confirm policies that have been in progress from the past, the most appropriate thing is the person who implemented them. Second, in the context of political representation, these figures, behind them, are Indonesian citizens who are their followers. "So, representation is not only through formal institutions such as the DPR, but also to make it richer, fulfilling the elements of representation can also (be from) listening to previous presidents," said Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party Habiburokhman in a talk One ​​Table of The Forum hosted by senior journalist Budiman Tanuredjo on Kompas TV, Wednesday (8/5/2024) evening.

In the event, the Chairman of the Central Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Djarot Saiful Hidayat, was also present, along with the member of the High Assembly of the Democratic Party, Sjarifuddin Hasan, and the senior researcher of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Philips J Vermonte.

According to Habiburokhman, Prabowo respects the former presidents and considers them as part of the nation's potential that cannot be left behind in development. Although no longer in office, they have experience, knowledge, and leadership skills that can serve as references for the current president. Moreover, the former presidents also have a large support from the people, thus their voices can still represent the society.

"Because the previous presidents were special individuals in terms of capacity and representation, they must surely be given special accommodations," said Habiburokhman.

Also read: Prabowo's “The President's Club”, Could it Be Realized?

However, he continued, Prabowo had not yet thought about the official format of the forum in question. Until now, Prabowo and Gerindra are still gathering input from figures, political parties and the public regarding the form of institution that will oversee discussions between Prabowo and the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri, the 5th President -6 RI Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo.

Sjarifuddin Hasan agrees that the formation of a presidents' club is an important idea to be implemented. This is because previous presidents have achievements and experiences that can be capitalized by Prabowo to ensure that his government runs better.

The senior politician, better known as Syarief Hasan, said that Megawati had succeeded in upholding democracy and holding direct elections for the first time. Meanwhile, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) brought Indonesia's economic growth to an average of 6 percent and reduced the poverty rate. Meanwhile, Joko Widodo is aggressively building infrastructure in various regions of Indonesia.

"However, there are also things that have not been done well (by previous presidents). "Because Pak Prabowo wants to be better, that's why he wants to always communicate, brainstorm, exchange opinions with former presidents," he said.

Informal

According to Syarief, SBY is also open to the idea. The President, who served two terms from 2004-2014, is believed to be willing to join the president's club if Prabowo forms it. This is because internationally, SBY is still a member of Club de Madrid, a non-profit organization that consists of presidents and prime ministers from countries worldwide to discuss global issues and recommend solutions.

However, the president's club is expected to be informal and not part of the government structure. Membership in the president's club should also be voluntary. "So, I think if there is a president who doesn't want to join, we can't force them," said Syarief.

The president's club is expected to be informal, not part of the government structure. Membership in the president's club should also be voluntary.

Djarot Saiful Hidayat revealed that Megawati is also open to giving advice and exchanging experiences with Prabowo. However, this does not necessarily have to be given in a formal setting because discussions are considered to be more effective if conducted informally. In addition, institutionally, there is already a Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) that is tasked with providing various advice to the president in carrying out his policies.

"If the president's club is institutionalized in one forum, there is already a Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres). However, if it is a platform for consultation and discussion between Prabowo and Megawati, it can be done," he said.

According to Djarot, the discussions held need to be limited to major issues that require input from former presidents, but do not reduce the president's power. For example, discussing the issue of tengkes which is indeed a structural problem and requires a long time to resolve. The same goes for the potential food crisis that could threaten Indonesia in the future.

Indications for intervention

He reminded that the president's club created by Prabowo should not become a space for intervening in the president's policies. This is because there are indications that the institution will be used by one of the former presidents to realize their personal political interests.

"This is truly Prabowo's (idea) or Pak Jokowi's desire to continue his rule. Because, Mr Jokowi, right at the start, planned to extend the presidential term of office. "Then to have formality, a kind of presidents club was formed," said Djarot.

According to him, this is further evidenced by Jokowi's statement not objecting to the formation of the club. Moreover, Jokowi suggested that the meetings between presidents be held as often as possible, that is, every two days.

Also read: Jokowi-Megawati relations are increasingly strained

During the Prabowo and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, administration, which will begin in October 2024, Indonesia will have three former presidents. They are Megawati, SBY, and Jokowi. Out of these three figures, only Jokowi's political plans for the future are unknown. Megawati is the Chairman of PDI-P, and SBY currently serves as the Chairman of the Democratic Party's High Council.

In the 2024 Presidential Election, SBY is in the camp supporting Prabowo-Gibran, while Megawati and her political parties are supporting the pair of Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD. As for Jokowi, although he has never officially declared his support, his movements are speculated to be supporting Prabowo because Gibran is his eldest son.

The political relations among the three former presidents were not always smooth. Megawati, for example, has not communicated with SBY since the 2004 Presidential Election. Megawati's relationship with Jokowi is also reportedly strained due to differences in their choices in the 2024 Presidential Election. Unlike these three figures, Prabowo's relationship with Megawati, SBY, and Jokowi is relatively maintained.

Philips J Vermonte sees the existence of a President's Club as important because the wisdom possessed by former presidents is much needed. Moreover, Indonesian presidents who serve from one period to another have faced various major crises, starting from Megawati who faced and restored democratic stability, SBY continued economic growth, to Jokowi building infrastructure.

”Currently Indonesia is facing many external challenges that must be navigated (by the president). There is the war in Ukraine, the pandemic, climate change, and the United States' trade war with China. "This is a problem that Pak Prabowo will face which is as serious (as previous Indonesian presidents) and requires wisdom," said Philips.

In this context, he continued, the experience and wisdom of former presidents are important to be obtained through the presidents club. The presidents club should not discuss short-term political policies that are the prerogative of the current president. Therefore, the association should also remain informal and not formalized.

"Because its function is as a medium or platform for Prabowo as president to consult to gain wisdom from previous presidents. "If possible, ensure that it does not interfere with the daily policies or short-term political goals of the former presidents who in fact are still patrons of political parties," said Philips.

Referring to the experience in the United States, "The Presidents Club" is a political practice that has a positive value. Several former presidents with different political views can come together in some moments, especially those related to global humanity. It is not a forum for criticizing the current government.