Cabinet Consolidation Demanded

The significant decline in public appreciation for the performance of the Cabinet of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin demands efforts to consolidate government work.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Ministers and Vice Miniesters inauguration in State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (15/6/2022). Public survey hold by Kompas daily research and development department shows significat decline in public appreciation for the performance of the cabinet of President Joko Widodo.

The erosion of public appreciation of government performance is shown by the results of the Kompas National Survey. Satisfaction was expressed by 62.1 percent of respondents. This amount is quite positive and is far higher than the percentage of respondents who are dissatisfied with the government's performance (37.9 percent).

However, the data cause concern. Compared to previous assessments, public satisfaction is now down to its lowest in the last year.

From about 20 problem indicators assessed, there was a decrease in satisfaction in 13 problem indicators.

The decline in public satisfaction occurred in several problem areas. From about 20 problem indicators assessed, there was a decrease in satisfaction in 13 problem indicators. The other four indicators of problems appeared to be fixed, while only three indicators showed an increase in public appreciation.

The change in the people’s satisfaction is the most significant in the field of law enforcement. In this survey, only half of the respondents are satisfied. In fact, at the beginning of 2022, two thirds of respondents were satisfied with the performance of law enforcement. After that, public satisfaction dropped drastically. On the other hand, dissatisfaction seems to be growing.

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Various problems in law enforcement in recent times have clearly contributed to the decline in public satisfaction. Most of the discontent is focused on law enforcement practices. The efforts of the state officials to guarantee the same law enforcement for every citizen have decreased by 10 percent. The same applies to efforts to improve service, such as eradicating bribery; buying and selling legal cases; completion of cases of violence by the security officers; and cases of corruption, collusion, and nepotism, not to mention gambling, which is felt to be worse.

The decrease in satisfaction with law enforcement parallels the decline in the image of legal institutions. The survey results show that the police are the most problematic. The positive image of the police that was previously built has now drastically plunged. In January 2022, about three-quarters of respondents said the police image was “good”. Now the figure is less than half (48.5 percent).

The decline in satisfaction with the police force is related to several consecutive problems. Before recovering from the shooting of Brigadier J involving a two-star general, the tragedy of the death of 134 supporters at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, which involved security officers, came fast on its heels. Now there are allegations of involvement of high-ranking police officers in drug trafficking.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Workers in Light Rail Transit project in Jakarta, last year. Survey by Kompas research and development departement shows that economic conditions experienced by community have not improved.

On the other hand, the low public appreciation of the government's performance is exacerbated by economic problems. The survey results reveal that the economic conditions experienced by the community have not improved.

Currently, public satisfaction is not improving. Only 50.8 percent of respondents are satisfied with the Cabinet's performance in dealing with the economy. In fact, in the January 2022 survey, no less than 64.8 percent were satisfied.

The government's efforts to control the prices of goods and services are the most widely questioned. The price increase triggered by the policy of raising the price of fuel has become the target of public dissatisfaction. No less than 62 percent of respondents complained about the problem of controlling prices for goods and services.

In the midst of pressure on law enforcement and the economy, there are two areas of government performance that are responded to positively. Regarding the Cabinet's performance in dealing with political, security and social welfare issues, almost three quarters of respondents expressed satisfaction.

From a political and security perspective, efforts to build an attitude of respect for differences in society are the most satisfying.

In the field of social welfare, efforts to overcome public health problems and the performance of the education sector are considered increasingly satisfactory. From a political and security perspective, efforts to build an attitude of respect for differences in society are the most satisfying.

Respondent's identity

The level of satisfaction varies based on the respondent’s identity. The higher the social status and education, the more people express dissatisfaction. To the contrary, the lower the education level of respondents, the higher the satisfaction expressed.

Based on the respondent's domicile, the increase in dissatisfaction is more prominently shown by those who live in Java than those outside Java. In terms of age group, middle-age (widely referred to as the millennial generation) dissatisfaction is higher than other generations.

Another difference in appreciation can be seen in the political background of the respondents. For respondents who supported Jokowi-Amin in the 2019 election, no less than 73.9 percent are satisfied. Even though still classified as very high, compared to the previous period, there was a significant decline. On the other hand, for those who are not Jokowi-Amin supporters, only 44.2 percent are satisfied.

The decline in appreciation for the government's performance erodes the legitimacy of Jokowi-Amin's leadership qualities. The survey results also revealed that there is a decline in public belief in the Cabinet's ability to solve problems. In the previous survey, there were still 63.5 percent of respondents who believed the government was able to solve all problems, but now there are only 52 percent.

The dynamics of politics ahead of the 2024 General Election is an important challenge.

Various declines in public satisfaction will be increasingly problematic if faced with the challenges of interconnecting global and domestic issues.

On the other hand, the dynamics of politics ahead of the 2024 General Election is an important challenge. The Jokowi-Amin Cabinet, which is supported by various party powers, is in contact with the pattern of concentration and activity of the party and its figures in carrying out the electoral control agenda. With the links to increasingly problematic conditions, for the public, Cabinet consolidation becomes a real demand. (LITBANG KOMPAS)

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.