Indonesia President Joko Widodo’s top loyalist Bahlil Lahadalia was appointed as Golkar’s new chief on Wednesday. Golkar is Indonesia’s second-largest party. Members say this move could allow the outgoing president to retain political influence long after he leaves office in October.
Lahadalia, the newly appointed energy minister and Widodo’s right-hand, was chosen as Golkar’s party leader. Golkar is a late autocrat in President Suharto’s party, who ruled Indonesia for three decades until 1998.
Widodo has served the two maximum terms allowed. Four Golkar sources, on the condition of anonymity, said that Bahlil’s appointment could help Jokowi to secure his legacy.
Golkar members have said Jokowi has been quietly building a power base through the party before stepping down. Jokowi’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
During a speech, Bahlil said that the party must be unified. In an apparent reference to Jokowi, he warned the members to stay in line.
Prabowo Subianto has been fast consolidating power ahead of his presidency. He secured parliamentary majority late last week, with support from parties that had backed his election rival.
Bahlil’s appointment as Golkar chief could be central to the success or failure of Prabowo’s policy agenda. Prabowo’s Gerindra party is the second largest in the alliance.
Prabowo and Jokowi’s son, vice-president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, will be inaugurated on October 20.
NO INTERVENTION
Bahlil was the sole candidate to be nominated for party chief of Golkar. He played down suggestions of political intervention to ensure he was appointed. Party rules prohibit Jokowi, who is not currently a Golkar member, from becoming party chair himself.
Party sources have said the outgoing president may seek a seat on the party’s influential advisory council.
The party shake-up comes amid a string of new political appointments and the formation of a government-aligned big-tent coalition.
On Monday, Jokowi appointed several new ministers, to smooth the transition of power. The ministers in the reshuffle hold close ties to his successor.
(with inputs from Reuters)
