World Scientific Series on International Relations and Comparative Politics in Southeast Asia: Volume 3. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, 2024. US$38.00, ebook. ISBN 9789811296895.
In the contemporary Indonesian political landscape, this book emerges as a comprehensive and in-depth academic work that explores the full complexity of Indonesia’s democratic journey from independence to the 2024 presidential election. Bilver Singh as president of the Political Science Association at the National University of Singapore presents a systematic analytical framework and in-depth success in mapping the fundamental transformation of the Indonesian political system. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of political science, Singh discusses the dynamics of Indonesian democracy from the autocratic New Order era to the more open and dynamic post-reform democratic phase. This book is both a historical record and an intellectual map, explaining how political, social, and cultural forces interact to shape the country’s future.
Singh presents a narrative that begins with Indonesia’s constitutional structure and presidential history and ends with the complex factors influencing the 2024 presidential election. The early chapters set the historical context by examining the changes in national leadership from Sukarno to Suharto to Joko Widodo. As power positions within countries have significant influence on both regional and global politics, Indonesia plays a crucial role in connecting Asia and the Pacific—the sea, including the Straits of Malacca, Sunda, Lombok, and Makassar, is strategically important in controlling international routes. Indonesia also shares maritime borders with China and India. This strategic geography contributes to the geopolitics between major world powers, especially the U.S. and China. In addition, Indonesia is a member of several international organizations: OIC, G20, ASEAN, APEC, and EAS. The positions of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) are significant as potential global participants and collaborators in the soft power approach.
Broadly speaking, this book is divided into three main parts consisting of 12 systematically arranged chapters. The first part covers the general election system (Pemilu) and political structure in Indonesia. The second describes Indonesia’s political parties and profiles of the presidential candidates. The third covers the political factors and dynamics leading up to the 2024 presidential election (Pilpres).
Singh begins by explaining that the Indonesian electoral system had six pillars in its historical landscape (direct, general, free, confidential, honest and fair behaviour), which was then shortened to Luber (direct, general, free, confidential) Jurdil (honest and fair). The indirect electoral political process, characterized by submission to the votes of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), was applied in the elections before 2004 (since Sukarno was elected in 1955), followed by Suharto in the next six elections (1971, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, and 1997). Meanwhile, direct general elections were only introduced after the amendment of the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, under the leadership of Megawati Sukarnoputri in 2001. The result of this direct election was the election of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2004 and his re-election in the following period. Then, in 2014, Joko Widodo won the direct election and was re-elected in 2019.
In the second part, Singh describes in detail the format for the 2024 elections. Singh emphasizes how this landscape would be very different from previous elections. The 2024 election featured three presidential candidates with different backgrounds and political parties with different ideologies. Prabowo Subianto, with a career background as a special forces company commander and defence minister in 2019–2024, was promoted by the Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) with nationalist values and a reflection of militarism; Ganjar Pranowo, as governor of Central Java, was promoted by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) with nationalist values, and Anies Baswedan, with an academic background, was promoted by the National Democratic Party (Nasdem) with social welfare values and the National Awakening Party (PKB) with the values of the Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama.
In the last part of the book, Singh details the political factors and dynamics leading up to the 2024 presidential election. As the book’s core, Singh highlights Joko Widodo’s leaps at the end of his time as president: first, his icy relationship with the PDI-P, the party that played a major role in his success in leading Indonesia; second, the nomination of his son, Gibran, as vice-president is considered legally problematic; and third, his large role in perpetuating power through Prabowo. It is worth noting that Joko Widodo competed with Prabowo in the preceding two elections, which colours the picture of political opponents becoming friends. According to Singh, Prabowo’s election was a manifestation of Joko Widodo’s shadowy power in the government. Finally, Singh covers the use of state institutions such as the Corruption Eradication Commission to silence political parties. The author describes how members of political parties in Joko Widodo’s government have been implicated in corruption cases. He explicitly stated that Widodo’s political progress and moves towards the 2024 elections marked a battle between individual strength and political party strength.
In addition, Singh clearly explains changes in the demographic landscape for the 2024 election, and the dominance of Generation X, Generation Z, and Millennials, who made up 28.07% of the electorate. Then in terms of foreign policy, Singh predicts that Prabowo’s election as president in 2024 will shape his differences with Joko Widodo on foreign policy, particularly Indonesia’s role in ASEAN. If Joko Widodo emphasizes his involvement in ASEAN for domestic interests, Prabowo, with his assertiveness, language skills, and understanding of geopolitics, will be stronger to engage in foreign affairs, including ASEAN and global forums, according to the author.
However, some parts of the book seem more descriptive rather than analytically critical, such as the linking of traditional Javanese and spiritual dictums in the names of presidents. Although not particularly problematic, this is still a controversial issue in the historical literature. Overall, however this book offers a holistic perspective on the electoral system, combining historical, constitutional, social, and cultural aspects. By offering a comprehensive perspective, The Indonesian Presidency is an important academic work. With a rich analytical framework, in-depth historical documentation, and attention to socio-demographic dimensions, it is an essential reference for academics, political practitioners, and citizens who want to understand the complexities of contemporary Indonesian politics, especially the electoral outcomes that shape foreign strategic maps.
M. Zaenul Muttaqin
Makassar State University, Makassar City