Riza Chalid‘s Political Maneuvering and the “Papa Wants Shares” Scandal: A Pattern of Populism in Indonesian Politics
Jakarta, Indonesia – Riza Chalid, a prominent figure in Indonesian business and politics, has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of the importance of political alliances. his career trajectory reveals a pattern of cultivating relationships across the political spectrum,from the New Order regime under President Suharto to the administrations of Megawati Sukarnoputri and Susilo bambang Yudhoyono. Notably, Chalid maintained close ties with Bambang Trihatmodjo, Suharto’s third son, and was on good terms with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) elite during Megawati’s presidency. His association with the presidential family continued during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s tenure, and he is also known to be close to National mandate Party (PAN) politician Hatta Rajasa, whose daughter married Yudhoyono’s son.
This strategic networking was evident in the 2015 “Papa Wants Shares” scandal involving Freeport Indonesia. In a recorded conversation, Riza Chalid claimed to be the campaign manager for the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa presidential ticket in the 2014 election. He also provided funding for a house in Cipinang, East Jakarta, which served as the campaign headquarters for the Prabowo-Hatta team. Chalid’s approach was characterized by a willingness to engage with allies of Joko Widodo, Prabowo’s rival in two presidential elections, highlighting his strategy of maintaining connections on multiple sides of the political landscape.
The extensive nature of Riza Chalid’s political network has led to skepticism regarding the Attorney General’s Office’s (AGO) handling of recent cases. The article suggests that the AGO’s investigations into major cases involving individuals close to power may require external “encouragement” and that the institution has, in some instances, been used to enhance the government’s image as committed to law enforcement, a practice described as “populism.”
The article further posits that “legal populism” has become a common feature during the Prabowo administration. President Prabowo has frequently introduced policies perceived as pro-people. An example cited is the transfer of hundreds of thousands of acres of oil palm plantations by the Forest Areas Management Task Force to Agrinas Nusantara Palma, a state-owned enterprise managed by the military.This move, according to the article, involved sidelining existing players and replacing them with military-affiliated entities.
The author suggests that a similar populist motive may be at play in the Riza Chalid case. While legal action against a prominent figure can be commendable, the article raises concerns about potential hidden agendas. An investigation reportedly uncovered that a group of entrepreneurs sought a share of Chalid’s business, which he refused. If this account is accurate, the article speculates that the investigation might be aimed at facilitating a change in ownership within the oil business.The piece concludes by warning that if the objective is merely to change players under the guise of populism, improvements in oil import management are unlikely. Such shifts, it argues, could lead to an increase in illegal practices within the oil sector, with the interests of the public being marginalized.
