Recent Political Party Dynamic in Indonesia

On 7 December 2017, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute welcomed Mr Yorrys Raweyai, a senior member of the Golkar Party in Indonesia, to deliver a public seminar on the future of Golkar and Indonesian politics.

INDONESIA STUDIES PROGRAMME SEMINAR
On 7 December 2017, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute welcomed Mr Yorrys Raweyai, a senior member of the Golkar Party in Indonesia, to deliver a public seminar on the future of Golkar and Indonesian politics. He delivered the seminar in Bahasa Indonesia, and was assisted in English translation by ISEAS Visiting Fellow Dr Deasy Simandjuntak, who chaired the seminar.


Mr Yorrys Raweyai discussed the ongoing internal dynamics within Golkar Party, including the impact of the corruption charges stemming from the e-KTP programme against its Chaiman Setya Novanto (Source: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute)

Mr Yorrys spoke about how the e-identity card scandal that has implicated Golkar chairman Setya Novanto has negatively affected Golkar’s electability as Indonesia approaches the 2019 presidential and legislative elections. Mr Yorrys felt that the continued leadership of Mr Setya, who was also the Speaker of Parliament, at the helm of Golkar would be a burden to the political party, and can only damage its public reputation. Mr Yorrys revealed that the upcoming Extraordinary National Congress of the party would be held on 17 December 2017, and the frontrunner for the leadership is Mr Airlangga Hartarto, who is currently Minister for Industry in President Joko Widodo’s cabinet.


From Left to Right: Dr Deasy Simandjuntak, and Mr Yorrys Raweyai (Source: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute) 

Mr Yorrys concluded by saying that for Golkar to remain a potent political power in Indonesia, and support President Joko Widodo’s reform agenda, Golkar must be able to face the facts and renew itself in order to face a more demanding electorate. Mr Setya’s removal as party leader would be essential to that effort.

The seminar was attended by 40 people, including academics, businessmen and diplomats.


Academics, businessmen, and diplomats were among the members of the audience that day (Source: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute)