Yogyakarta, September 19th 2023─As the 2024 presidential and presidential candidate elections approach, the public is abuzz with discussions about the elections. Currently, there are three political figures predicted as presidential candidates, namely Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, and Prabowo Subianto. Welcoming the recent discussions about the three figures, Universitas Gadjah Mada collaborated with Narasi and supported by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM to present the three vice presidents through the Mata Najwa on Stage event: Bacapres Bicara Gagasan. The event was hosted by Mata Najwa’s own host, Najwa Shihab, on Tuesday (19/9) at Grha Sabha Pramana UGM and also became a series of the 68th Anniversary of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM.
It cannot be denied that the practice of Corruption Crime (TPK) has long been a problem in Indonesia. Moreover, the revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission Law (KPK Law) in 2019, which is considered to dwarf and injure the independence and authority of the KPK, has further provided an opening for the occurrence of Corruption Crime. Of course, concrete efforts and actions are needed from the government to overcome and eradicate this. Seeing the opinions and plans of the vice presidential candidates regarding the future of this institution and efforts to eradicate corruption is certainly important and interesting. The topic also became one of the discussions chosen by the audience as a priority topic.
Law enforcement is one of Ganjar’s priority agendas. He said that punishing perpetrators of Corruption Crime is not enough, prevention is also important. “Providing anti-corruption education from an early age is an obligation,” said Ganjar. Furthermore, responding to Megawati Soekarnoputri’s statement, the chairperson of the party that supports him, regarding the proposal to dissolve the KPK last August, Ganjar admitted that he did not agree. “One, the KPK must be strengthened. Second, revision of regulations,” said Ganjar when asked by Najwa about the fate of the KPK if he became president. According to Ganjar, the revision of regulations requires a special treatment, which he calls political interplay.
Anies also conveyed his ideas about the importance of law enforcement. “This country has the opportunity to progress. However, as long as the rule of law and certainty and law enforcement are not a priority, then what happens is that governance does not run well,” said Anies. Regarding institutions, Anies believes that the KPK now does not have a free and independent space. Therefore, he agrees that the KPK must be independent again like before. “Besides being made more independent, it can also be supervised. There must be a good supervision mechanism,” said Anies. Anies believes that the KPK will carry out its duties properly because they must also be accountable to the public.
In the last session, Prabowo said that Indonesi’’s laws on TPK are deterrent enough with confiscation and prison sentences. “We must tackle corruption in a systematic way. For example, by increasing the salaries of authorized officials,” Prabowo said. Prabowo also believes that the KPK is still very useful. On the other hand, disappointment and dissatisfaction with the country’s development is normal. Nevertheless, there is still a need for supervision. “It is true that there must be supervision because power tends to make people corrupt. We are looking for efforts to improve, but don’t let there be an impression of dissolution,” he explained.
The ideas of the vice presidents were critically welcomed by the audience consisting of the academic community and the general public. There was also a question and answer session that allowed lecturers and students to dialogue and convey the essential things that have been questioned so far. This event is expected to open the eyes of the audience and broaden their horizons about the prospective leaders of Indonesia.