Member of Commission II of the House, Mardani Ali Sera, in a Legislation Forum discussion held at the Parliamentary Media Center, Jakarta, Tuesday (28/7/2020). Photo: Azka/Man

Member of Commission II (home affairs, governance, general elections) of the House of Representatives, Mardani Ali Sera, sees political dynasty as a detriment to democratization in a country. In responding to this phenomenon, he believes there is an urgency for a legislation that regulates political dynasty in state administration. Moreover, Mr. Sera expects leaders to have a proven track record in public administration that guarantees their experience and mental capacity in leading the public. 

“I really believe that political dynasty is a detriment to democracy. This is part of what’s left of the old democracy. However, I understand that this is also a common practice in other countries,” Mr. Sera said in a Legislation Forum discussion held at the Parliamentary Media Center, Jakarta, on Tuesday (28/7/2020). The discussion was attended by Vice Chairperson of Commission II Saan Mustopa, Commission II Member Zulfikar Arse Sadikin, and Executive Director of the elections watchdog Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) Titi Anggraini, who attended as a speaker at the event. 

Elaborating further on the topic, Mr. Sera maintained that leaders should prove themselves through their political career before they can earn a leadership position. In making his point, he mentioned how Speaker of the House, Puan Maharani, is a good example of someone who started her political career as the Central Java Regional Director of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Political Campaign before working her way up to become the current Speaker of the House for the 2019-2024 parliamentary period. 

“I praise Madam Puan Maharani, because she started her political career from the bottom before she led the Indonesian House. She was the Chairperson of Central Java Election Body, and then she ran for legislative election and served as an MP. After that, she was appointed as a Minister and eventually became the House’s Speaker. That is a hard work from the bottom level,” explained the Social Justice Party politician.  

According to Sera, in leading a region, experience is the key to success. It is dangerous to become a leader by going through an instant process. “It doesn’t seem right when suddenly and unexpectedly someone runs for a regional head election with such an instant process. It is better to build a career step by step from the lowest to the highest level. For example, from the level of Neighborhood Unit leader (RT), Community Unit organization leader (RW), member of Youth Community, member of the National Committee of Indonesian Youth, and so on. Joining any organization from lower level will bring a wealth of experience in dealing with the public,” Sera said. 

Sera added that experience in dealing with public will increase someone’s mental capacity. Do not let this political dynasty nullify the factor of someone’s experience in managing public affairs. This calls for revision in the next deliberation of a Bill on the Regional Elections.