21 November 2019
WP324 | Capturing Anti-Jokowi Sentiment and Islamic Conservative Masses: PKS 2019 Strategy
Abstract
This paper examines the Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS)’s strategy in the 2019 Indonesian general elections. Among the Islamic-based political parties, PKS gained the most significant increase in votes. We aspire to understand the breakthrough by looking at the party’s strategy. On the one hand, our findings confirm the existing studies that correctly noted the moving of Indonesian political parties towards a “catch-all” direction by which they aim to garner wider support beyond a specific type of voter base. On the other hand, our research notes that PKS has started to exploit the phenomenon of rising Islamic conservatism in Indonesia. Despite solely maintaining an inclusive electoral strategy, this research asserts that the party has adjusted its campaign strategy to fit in with the trend of rising Islamic conservatism while concurrently exploiting the anti-incumbent president (Joko Widodo) sentiment. This paper aims to enhance discussion on Indonesian politics as well as Indonesia’s political parties, particularly the PKS.
Keywords: PKS, Indonesian politics, political parties.
About the Authors
Adhi Priamarizki is a Visiting Fellow at the Indonesia Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. He holds a PhD in International Relations from Ritsumeikan University, Japan and a MSc in Strategic Studies from RSIS. Adhi wrote a doctoral dissertation on civil-military relations in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand. His research interests include Indonesia’s military transformation, civil-military relations in Southeast Asia, and Indonesian politics. His publications have appeared in East Asia Forum, The Jakarta Post, New Mandala, Analisis CSIS, and Contemporary Southeast Asia.
Dedi Dinarto is a Research Analyst at the Indonesia Programme. He joined the Indonesia Programme in November 2019 after obtaining his MSc degree in International Relations in 2019 at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. He was a research associate at the Indonesia Programme from 2017-2019 while concurrently studying full-time at RSIS under the Research Analyst Award. He obtained his B.A degree in International Relations in 2016 at Department of International Relations, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. His research covers Indonesia’s foreign policy, Indonesian politics, and local dynamics in the Riau Archipelago. He is also in charge of the Riau Bulletin publication, a monthly newsletter covering key local developments in the Riau Islands. His publications have appeared in East Asia Forum, The Diplomat, and The Jakarta Post.
Abstract
This paper examines the Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS)’s strategy in the 2019 Indonesian general elections. Among the Islamic-based political parties, PKS gained the most significant increase in votes. We aspire to understand the breakthrough by looking at the party’s strategy. On the one hand, our findings confirm the existing studies that correctly noted the moving of Indonesian political parties towards a “catch-all” direction by which they aim to garner wider support beyond a specific type of voter base. On the other hand, our research notes that PKS has started to exploit the phenomenon of rising Islamic conservatism in Indonesia. Despite solely maintaining an inclusive electoral strategy, this research asserts that the party has adjusted its campaign strategy to fit in with the trend of rising Islamic conservatism while concurrently exploiting the anti-incumbent president (Joko Widodo) sentiment. This paper aims to enhance discussion on Indonesian politics as well as Indonesia’s political parties, particularly the PKS.
Keywords: PKS, Indonesian politics, political parties.
About the Authors
Adhi Priamarizki is a Visiting Fellow at the Indonesia Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. He holds a PhD in International Relations from Ritsumeikan University, Japan and a MSc in Strategic Studies from RSIS. Adhi wrote a doctoral dissertation on civil-military relations in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand. His research interests include Indonesia’s military transformation, civil-military relations in Southeast Asia, and Indonesian politics. His publications have appeared in East Asia Forum, The Jakarta Post, New Mandala, Analisis CSIS, and Contemporary Southeast Asia.
Dedi Dinarto is a Research Analyst at the Indonesia Programme. He joined the Indonesia Programme in November 2019 after obtaining his MSc degree in International Relations in 2019 at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. He was a research associate at the Indonesia Programme from 2017-2019 while concurrently studying full-time at RSIS under the Research Analyst Award. He obtained his B.A degree in International Relations in 2016 at Department of International Relations, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. His research covers Indonesia’s foreign policy, Indonesian politics, and local dynamics in the Riau Archipelago. He is also in charge of the Riau Bulletin publication, a monthly newsletter covering key local developments in the Riau Islands. His publications have appeared in East Asia Forum, The Diplomat, and The Jakarta Post.
