Deepening Democracy in Indonesia?: Direct Elections for Local Leaders (Pilkada)

9. PILKADA IN BANTUL DISTRICT: Incumbent, Populism and the Decline of Royal Power

190 190 Priyambudi Sulistiyanto 9 PILKADA IN BANTUL DISTRICT Incumbent, Populism and the Decline of Royal Power1 Priyambudi Sulistiyanto INTRODUCTION The year 2005 saw an increase in local political activities throughout Indonesia with the regions embarking on pilkada (pemilihan kepala daerah langsung) (direct elections of district heads). Although there have been criticisms of pilkada, such as the absence of independent candidates, the limited logistics, the lack of political socialization, the inexperience of regional electoral commissions, and the confusion over legal frameworks, surprisingly pilkada went relatively smoothly with only a few regions experiencing political troubles and crises. By any measure, it can be argued that pilkada contributed significantly to local democracy in the regions (Amirudin and Bisri 2006; Prihatmoko 2005; Romli 2005). There is no doubt that pilkada in the regions produced both different as well as similar experiences across Indonesia and it is important to locate these in the context of the recent studies of decentralization and local politics in post-Soeharto Indonesia (Aspinall and Fealy 2003; Erb, Sulistiyanto, and Faucher 2005; Hadiz 2004; Kingsbury and Aveling 2003; Sakai 2002). Decentralization policies implemented since 2001 are a part of a democratization process in Indonesia that has changed the nature of the centre–region relationship between Jakarta and the regions, and paved the 190 09 DeepeningDemocracy Ch 9 1/15/09, 11:19 AM 190 191 Pilkada in Bantul District 191 way for the emergence of local governance. While the local government is now closer to the people, theoretically empowering people in the regions, decentralization has also been accompanied by an increase in corruption activities, and the rampant spread of “money politics”. Also, it has been pointed out by Hadiz (2004) that decentralization has not changed the “oligarchic” nature of Indonesian politics, since those who controlled and benefited from the political and economic resources during the Soeharto period have reorganized themselves and adjusted their roles at both national and local levels in a new democratic environment. While accepting these views, I want to argue for a more locally grounded perspective for examining the dynamics of local politics. This will take into account various factors such as the importance of local leadership styles, local political networks, local cultural resources, and local historical knowledge, especially among the ordinary people. By suggesting this, it is important to avoid making generalizations about the emerging phenomena of pilkada in the regions. This requires recognizing pilkada as a part of the local political context where each election has its own features that differ from others. This is not to ignore the importance of the structural and external factors in shaping pilkada in the regions, but instead recognizing that there is a blending of these factors into the dynamics of local politics. In the case of Bantul district, it is important to note that there is the unique political and cultural nature of the Sultanate of Jogjakarta (Kasultanan Jogjakarta) that has been searching for a place in the new democratic setting of the post-Soeharto period. It is important here to place the Kasultanan Jogjakarta as a type of political actor, which has been involved in coalition building, at the same time protecting and controlling its interests in Bantul district. Within this context this chapter examines the pilkada in Bantul district, Jogjakarta province, which took place on 26 July 2005. The pilkada in Bantul district was an interesting local political phenomenon because it tells us about more than just a local political contest. It includes a cultural dimension whose significance cannot be ignored. In this chapter I want to explain the factors that brought overwhelming victory for the incumbent bupati and also to trace the incumbent’s populist policies which contributed to this victory. I also want to discuss the views and insights of the ordinary people in Bantul about the strengths and weaknesses of the incumbent leader. The contest in this pilkada will be examined at length by looking at the configuration of local political networks in Bantul district. I will address the significance and basis of the royal power during the pilkada. This chapter argues that despite the fact that politically the incumbent is often in a superior position vis-à-vis 09 DeepeningDemocracy Ch 9 1/15/09, 11:19 AM 191 192 192 Priyambudi Sulistiyanto other contenders, this does not always translate into winning the local elections. What the incumbent did while in power and his ability to win over the hearts and...