Jakarta. Defense Ministry spokesman Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak would never have guessed that his statement regarding President-Elect Prabowo Subianto’s dream of establishing the so-called “presidential club” would become a topic of discussion among the public and political elites.

The “presidential club” -- which aims to gather living past presidents -- has been making headlines. Indonesia today has three living presidents: Megawati Soekarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), and Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. All are still active in politics and are not exactly on the best terms with one another. Dahnil claimed Prabowo could get advice on dealing with national issues by having all three ex-leaders in one room. 

“I just came up with the term ‘presidential club’. It is not a formal entity, but what Mr. Prabowo wants is to form a forum where they can have good relations. So they can regularly meet to discuss strategically important national issues,” Dahnil said recently.

Dahnil claimed that he did not understand why many misinterpreted Prabowo’s “good intent” to speak with former leaders as a mere political gimmick. Some even saw this presidential club as a way of former presidents maintaining their power, while others thought of the forum as a mere political maneuver -- all opinions that raised Dahnil’s eyebrows.

“Mr. Prabowo simply wishes to set an example that leaders should build and maintain their relationships. If God is willing, when the time comes, Mr. Prabowo will sit together with Mr. Jokowi, Mr. SBY, and Mrs. Megawati,” Dahnil said.

The Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) recently revealed more details of its founder Prabowo’s presidential club dream. Gerindra’s deputy Habiburokhman revealed that the idea did not come out of the blue, saying that Prabowo had been talking of wanting to gather former presidents for years. He added that this was also Prabowo’s way of respecting ex-leaders and their achievements. 

“By seeking their advice, the incoming government can keep up the work that the predecessors have achieved, while also making improvements. … Whether [the presidential club] is a formal or informal entity, we need to really optimize the communications between the presidents, all for the sake of our country and its people,” Habiburokhman said.

Not Something New

But having presidents communicating with one another is not something new in international politics. However, it has become somewhat taboo in Indonesia as seen in how past governments tended to close the doors for such communications. As a case in point, the US saw its leaders consulting with their forerunners. 

‘The Presidents Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity’ (2012) revealed that the 33rd US President Harry S Truman sought advice from his predecessor Herbert Hoover regarding the European economic crisis despite conflicting political affiliations. Truman was a Democrat, while Hoover was a Republican. Another example was Barack Obama --who was in office at the time-- consulted with Bill Clinton and George W Bush regarding the Haiti earthquake assistance in 2010. In 2021, Joe Biden also met with Clinton and Bush for some talks on withdrawing American forces from Afghanistan.

In London, South Africa’s first president Nelson Mandela formed the non-government organization The Elders. It became a group of global leaders to discuss international issues, particularly on peace, human rights, and the environment.

Another notable global leader forum is Club de Madrid. SBY himself is a member of this group that zeroes in on issues of democracy. He was also a speaker in the group’s annual meeting in Germany back in 2022.

Unfortunately, it is rare to see Indonesian leaders exchange their thoughts for the sake of this country. The relationships between the living past presidents have gone sour. 

Not on Their Best Terms

Over the past two decades, Megawati and SBY never really got along, especially after they faced one another in the 2004 election. Megawati -- and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) -- accused SBY of playing the victim and being a backstabber. SBY eventually led Indonesia for two terms, starting from 2004 to 2014. PDI-P, founded by Megawati, became SBY’s biggest opposition during his time in office. Even after his resignation, they still had not reconciled. 

SBY even claimed that there was someone who tried to stop him from reaching out to Jokowi’s government. For the first 9 years of Jokowi’s leadership, the country did not see any substantial interactions between SBY and the outgoing president.

It was only after the Democratic Party --also founded by SBY-- declared its support for Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 election. Prabowo has picked Jokowi’s eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his running mate. Following the Democratic Party’s support, Jokowi appointed SBY’s son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono to be the agrarian minister.

The 2024 election saw Jokowi and Megawati’s relationship fall apart, especially following PDI-P’s presidential nominee Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD’s loss.

The dynamics between the past presidents have set some roadblocks to Prabowo’s presidential club dream.

Political analyst Ujang Komarudin said that this exclusive club would be a good idea, as it could pave the way for Indonesia’s goal of reaching a golden era by its centennial in 2045. However, the differences in political directions can make the journey towards a presidential club a tough one.

“The question is on how [Prabowo] can encourage the leaders to set aside their ego and sit together and discuss national issues. This will be a tough challenge for Prabowo. … And although Prabowo-Gibran has been declared the official winner, … PDI-P has not accepted their defeat. Prabowo needs to approach PDI-P first to make this work,” Ujang said.

Likewise, Adi Prayitno, the executive director of Parameter Politik Indonesia, is also worried about the relationships between the past leaders. Adi said: “Megawati and SBY have not spoken with one another for 20 years. Megawati-Jokowi’s relationship is also heating up because of the election. If Megawati and SBY's old wounds have not been healed for 20 years, what about Megawati and Jokowi whose wounds can be said to be still open and not yet dry?"

Continuity

Abdul Mu’ti, the secretary general of Muhammadiyah’s executive board, said that the presidential club could be a symbol of continuing the developments of the previous governments by their successors.

“We feel that the government tends to shy away from continuing what their predecessors have done. Even though we know how sometimes it is impossible to finish a program or policy in one presidential term, so of course, the next government has to carry it on,” Mu’ti said.

“If the past government’s policies are good for the people, then we have to maintain them. If not, then improve them,” Mu’ti said. 

According to Adi, Prabowo has been clear about wanting to carry on Jokowi’s policies. This yet-to-be-established club can provide space for some discussions on what the previous government has done. 

Firman Noor, a political analyst at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), called this presidential club a daring political maneuver by Prabowo, who currently serves as the defense minister. Megawati, SBY, and Jokowi have all led this country, meaning that they should be the best people for Prabowo to seek advice from, according to Firman. 

However, Firman hopes to see this club simply be a non-formal forum. Indonesia already has what it calls the presidential advisory board. Establishing a formal entity would make things more complicated as the government would have to set aside some funds and prepare the manpower, among others, to keep the club running.

Will They Meet? 

But what do the Megawati-SBY-Jokowi trio think of the idea? 

Earlier this month, Jokowi said he was open to attending the presidential club. He told reporters at the time that he did not mind attending such a forum if it was held once every two days. 

Democratic Party’s spokesman Herzaky Mahendra Putra revealed SBY’s readiness to have the talks on national issues with the other two leaders while adding that he “did not have any personal issues” with Megawati. “Our party is also open to forming a room for dialogue with other parties, including PDI-P,” Herzaky said.

PDI-P senior politician Hendrawan Supratiko welcomed the idea of a presidential club, although he said his party was still waiting for more details on its implementation. “It is a good idea. But is it just a forum of formal or ceremonial gatherings, whether they will discuss fundamental and strategic issues, they need to clarify this,” Hendrawan said. 

Vice president-elect Gibran told the public to just wait on what the club’s concept and implementation would be. He added: “But be it inputs, evaluations or opinions, we can get them from people within or outside the coalition. There is nothing wrong with it. We will ask everyone for some input, be it our seniors, or experienced state leaders. That is why there is the presidential club.”

Prabowo’s inauguration ceremony is set for October 20. Only time will tell how this presidential club will actually take shape.

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B Universe journalists Yustinus Patris Paat, Ichsan Ali, Mita Amalia Hapsari, Wijayanti Putri, and Djibril Muhammad contributed to this story.