On March 5, a top aide of Indonesian President Joko Widodo was named chairman of an opposition party . It is a move that could expand the President’s coalition and reinforce his grip on Parliament. Other party members have challenged the legitimacy of the move.
Dr Moeldoko, the President’s chief of staff, was named as chairman of the Democratic Party in North Sumatra province.
The coalition of Jokowi already controls 74% of the 575 parliamentary seats in South-east Asia’s largest economy. The support of the Democratic Party would give him 9% more points.
Mr Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono challenged the appointment. He is the son of Jokowi’s predecessor, Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. He is one of the top new leaders who could run for presidency in the year 2024.
He said is a statement that the unconstitutional congress was held by a number of members who have conspired with external actors. He also said that he will make a complaint to the law enforcement agencies.
It is expected that the government will confirm which party leader will be recognised by the state. According to some analysts, senior staff leading the party will result in gain to Jokowi.
A Political analyst at Paramadina University, Mr Hendri Satrio said is a statement that With Moeldoko at the Democratic Party, the government will be stronger and this is not just a matter of 2024, but today with this, the government will be very free to design policies related to politics and power. But he could not answer the question of whether the person’s claim was legitimate or not. The Democratic Party was one of the parties who looked to block Job Creation Law in 2020.