Jakarta Post endorses Jokowi for Indonesia president

JAKARTA, Indonesia – For the first time in its 31-year history, the Jakarta Post newspaper on Friday, July 4, endorsed Joko “Jokowi” Widodo for president.

The endorsement was made 5 days before 187 million Indonesians vote for their next president on July 9 and amid a bitterly fought campaign that has divided Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s biggest Muslim nation. (Catch updates on the campaign and Indonesia election on Rappler)

“There is no such thing as being neutral when the stakes are so high. While endeavoring as best we can to remain objective in our news reporting, our journalism has always stood on the belief of the right moral ground when grave choices must be made,” the Jakarta Post editorial entitled “Endorsing Jokowi” said. (READ: What’s at stake in Indonesia election?)

The newspaper noted that it has never endorsed a candidate in the past. “Even though our standpoint is often clear, the Post has always stood above the political fray.”

It added: “But in an election like no other, we are morally bound to not stand by and do nothing. We do not expect our endorsement to sway votes. But we cannot idly sit on the fence when the alternative is too ominous to consider.”

In an interview with Tempo, Jakarta Post’s chief editor Meidyatama Suryodiningrat said they reached the decision after much deliberation among editors and senior staff, adding the endorsement should not be considered as a stand of the newspaper’s journalists.

“We declare support [for Jokowi and Kalla] because this year’s presidential election is crucial in determining the future of Indonesia,” he told Tempo.

Jokowi is running against retired military general Prabowo Subianto, who is a former son-in-law of dictator Suharto. (READ: Jokowi or Prabowo? A stark choice)

The media suffered under Suharto. Many Indonesian journalists fear that a Prabowo presidency would lead to the curtailment of press freedom, because he himself has been linked to past human rights abuses.

The early period of the campaign this year saw Jokowi, a former furniture businessman who is now Jakarta governor, with a huge lead over Prabowo. But this has been significantly cut down. Analysts now see a tight election.

Most media companies in Indonesia are associated witth or owned by business families belonging to political parties or holding crucial positions in government. – Rappler.com