Portrait of Joko Widodo
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Joko Widodo on Ma'ruf Amin

Endorsed political ally (strong)

TL;DR

Joko Widodo selected Ma'ruf Amin as his running mate to balance nationalism with religious appeal and secure key Islamic voter blocs.

Key Points

  • He announced Ma'ruf Amin as his running mate on August 9, 2018, after contemplating suggestions from various groups.

  • He stated that the pairing of Ma'ruf Amin with himself was intended to complement the nationalist and religious aspects of leadership.

  • The president and vice-president jointly called for national unity after the Constitutional Court upheld the election results in June 2019.

Summary

Joko Widodo positioned Ma'ruf Amin as his vice-presidential candidate for the 2019 election, stating that the two of them complemented each other, representing the nationalist and religious figures necessary for national unity. The selection, announced in August 2018, ended speculation and was interpreted as a strategic move to bolster the incumbent's Islamic credentials against conservative attacks, especially given Ma'ruf's stature as the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) and Supreme Leader of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). While Ma'ruf has a well-documented history of supporting conservative religious edicts against minorities, his public statements during the campaign emphasized moderation and the concept of Wasatiyyah Islam, or "Middle Way Islam," which promotes tolerance and balance within the state ideology of Pancasila.

Although some observers noted the incongruity between Widodo’s modernization push and Amin’s conservative image, the pairing was politically necessary to secure support from key traditionalist Muslim voters, particularly in Java. Following their victory, the president and vice-president have publicly emphasized national unity, with the president reiterating that they serve all Indonesians regardless of who voted for them. While questions remain regarding the future impact of the cleric's religious viewpoints, Widodo has leveraged Ma'ruf's religious authority to shield his ticket from sectarian challenges while aiming to govern from the political center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joko Widodo selected Ma'ruf Amin to complement his ticket by representing religious figures alongside his own nationalism. This move was strategically aimed at boosting his Islamic credentials and defending against sectarian attacks during the 2019 presidential campaign.

Joko Widodo has focused on Ma'ruf Amin's current role as a wise religious figure whose balance complements his own political style. When Ma'ruf's past fatwas drew criticism, the president's camp emphasized Ma'ruf's advocacy for 'Middle Way Islam' and moderation.

The president and vice-president publicly present themselves as a unified team that represents all of Indonesia, not just their voters. Following the election, the two leaders jointly called for national unity and emphasized their shared vision for a better country.