Six Months Before Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin's "Legacy" Ends

There is not much remaining time in the administration of President Jokowi-Vice President Amin. What can be done? Has the "legacy" been realized?

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

Forbidden word detected. Unable to translate. Please provide alternative article.

In less than six months, the terms of office of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin will soon end. Much has been done but there are still many targets that have not been completed and must be completed immediately. However, optimism for realizing Advanced Indonesia as President Jokowi's legacy will remain maintained and will be achieved.

During his inauguration as President of the Republic of Indonesia for the second time in the 2019-2024 period at the Parliament Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Sunday (20/10/2019), Jokowi presented five priority work programs. First, human resource development. Second, infrastructure development. Third, simplifying all forms of regulatory constraints. Fourth, simplifying bureaucracy. Lastly, economic transformation. That is what is often called President Jokowi's legacy .

To what extent have these things been achieved? For human resource (HR) development, the Smart Indonesia Card is still a mainstay, apart from establishing job training centers. However, Paramadina University Deputy Chancellor Handi Risza assesses that improving the quality of Indonesian human resources is still stagnant (Kompas, 13 January 2023). One indicator is that there is still a high rate (68 percent) of people who are unable to consume nutritious food. Indonesia's human capital index in 2020 is still 0.54 percent, which means the productivity of each child born only reaches 54 percent of its ideal capacity.

Another indicator is the quality of education from the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) score. In 2018, Indonesia's Pisa score for mathematics, science and reading skills was below 400. Indonesia's PISA score in 2022, which was announced on December 5 2023, showed that the mathematics score was still at 379, science 398 and reading 371. These figures are down compared to 2018 .

Also read: Indonesia's 2022 Pisa Score Drops

On the other hand, the number of tengkes or chronic malnutrition which causes stunting is still high despite a decline. President Jokowi himself is targeting a reduction in the number of tengkes from 37.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent in 2024. This realizes the importance of human resource quality in achieving a Golden Indonesia by 2045.

"Jokowi presented five priority work programs. First, human resource development. Second, infrastructure development. Third, simplification of all forms of regulatory barriers. Fourth, simplification of bureaucracy. Finally, economic transformation."

ESTER LINCE NAPITUPULU

The achievement of Indonesia’s PISA scores in 2018 remains below that of 78 other countries. The OECD links this low academic performance in literacy, science, and mathematics with the lack of a growth mindset instilled in students by their teachers.

However, in the opening of the National Health Work Meeting 2024 in Tangerang Regency, Banten, on Wednesday (24/4/2024), President Jokowi acknowledged that this target is very ambitious. In 2023, the percentage of underprivileged people still stands at 21.5 percent. "I calculated, turns out it's not easy (to reach 14 percent in 2024). But I don't know if it can be achieved in this one year because (the mitigation efforts) must be integrated," he said.

"Lame duck"

Professor of Political Science at the National Institute of Public Administration (IPDN), Prof. Djohermansyah Djohan, believes that with the remaining time, it is difficult to make a breakthrough in improving the quality of human resources. According to his calculations, the working period of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin may only be around five months. This is because from 1 to 20 October, it will be a period to complete the transition and finalization of the government transfer. The remaining time is only May, June, July, August, and September.

"You could say, in the past five months, the government's position has actually been a lame duck or 'lame duck'. This is inevitable because there is a new composition in the party, the winner of the election. It will be difficult for the government to run optimally"

"You could say, in the past five months, the government's position has actually been a lame duck or 'lame duck'. This is inevitable because there is a new composition in the party, the winner of the election. It will be difficult for the government to run optimally. "Political parties and ministers from political parties are also more focused on securing positions in the next government," said Djohermansyah. The "lame duck" referred to is a condition where a leader no longer has a strong influence because his future successor already exists.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Djohermansyah Djohan President of the Otda Institute (i-Otda)

However, there are several programs that can be carried out by President Jokowi-Wapres Amin. For the bureaucratic agenda, for example, Djohermansyah reminds that there is homework that must be completed immediately, namely completing the appointment of contract employees no later than December 2024 as mandated by Law number 20 of 2023 concerning Civil Servants.

"If we reform the bureaucracy to make it professional and neutral, or have a mental revolution, perhaps there is no time left. However, the President can leave a legacy for these honorees"

"If we reform the bureaucracy to make it professional and neutral, or have a mental revolution, perhaps there is no time left. "But, the President can leave a legacy for these honorees," added Djohermansyah.

Regarding infrastructure, the President can ensure that programs are completed, especially with the assistance of professional ministers. Focusing on strategic infrastructure development, including repairing damaged regional roads, is considered a good memory for Jokowi for the community.

"Despite the increase in civil servants' salaries earlier this year, it is certain that the public's income has been eroded due to the increase in income tax as well as the increase in prices for all types of goods and tariffs. This will be strongly felt by the community and should be immediately addressed."

As for the economy sector, Djohermansyah believes that the government needs to immediately address inflation and reduce the impacts of geopolitical shocks. Despite the increase in civil servant salary at the beginning of this year, it is certain that people's income will be eroded due to the increase in income tax and the rise in all kinds of goods and tariffs. This will be strongly felt by the community and can be addressed promptly.

PEMERINTAH PROVINSI BANTEN

State civil servants take part in the National Awareness Day Ceremony in Serang, Banten, Monday (17/6/2019).

From a regulatory perspective, President Jokowi can also encourage the upcoming regional head elections in November to proceed smoothly and avoid issues like those that arose during the previous presidential and vice presidential elections. However, the practice of distributing aid packages, interfering with the neutrality of civil servants, and familial politics are still expected to be rife in the 2024 regional elections.

"It is recommended to revise the Pilkada Law, so that regional heads whose wives, children, nephews, or in-laws run in the Pilkada - take leave outside of state responsibilities. This way, there will be no accusations of nepotism."

"It is best to revise the Regional Elections Law, so that local leaders whose spouses, children, nephews, or in-laws run in the election – take leave not at the expense of the state. This way, there are no allegations of nepotism," said Djohermansyah. However, the timing of the revision must of course be taken into account, whether it is feasible to do so while only around six months remain.

This also fulfills the message of the Constitutional Court which, in its considerations regarding the dispute over the 2024 Presidential Election, encouraged the improvement of the Election Law and the drafting of the Presidential Institution Law to maintain the neutrality of executive power.

“This will be a memory for the public that the President has good political intentions. That the revision of the Regional Election Law and the establishment of the Presidential Institution Law are considered a necessity, there is urgency. "This will be remembered as a positive legacy," added Djohermansyah.

“This will be a memory for the public that the President has good political intentions. That the revision of the Regional Election Law and the establishment of the Presidential Institution Law are considered a necessity, there is urgency. This will be remembered as a positive legacy”

The transition of the government from President Jokowi to Prabowo Subianto is also considered to be smoother. This is because Prabowo's vision and mission is to continue President Jokowi's government.

In addition, the time to prepare a new government is quite long. “So, the new government could just go ahead as President Jokowi wants. "Moreover, this is supported by the President himself, but President Jokowi needs to directly address public complaints such as honorary matters, inflation and regional election arrangements," said Djohermansyah.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Workers complete the construction of the Presidential Palace in the capital of Nusantara (IKN), Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, on Monday (30/10/2023). The progress of the Presidential Palace construction as of October 19, 2023, reached 32.90 percent. In July 2024, the Presidential building, parade ground, and road infrastructure within the IKN area are targeted to be completed and fully functional. KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO 30-10-2023.

Minister of State Secretary Pratikno answered diplomatically what President Jokowi would resolve. "Everything is in the process of finalizing and completing the implementation of the programs. Until October, the President will do it well and try his best. The results will of course be good," he said, last Thursday (26/4/2024) to Kompas.

"Power is displayed in a humble character. The President who comes from an ordinary background. However, Mr. Jokowi continues to lead and encourage everyone to move forward. That means a President from a humble background wants to make Indonesia extraordinary in an unconventional way."

President Jokowi's Special Staff Coordinator, Anak Agung Gede Ngurah, once stated that in this second term, President Jokowi really has no burden after focusing on dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. The President's Legacy will be resolved. "The President's focus is now on how to make the strategic agenda work effectively and be delivered. And that is the President's legacy for Indonesia, the speed of Indonesia's progress," he said.

Also read: Between Ordinary and Extraordinary Leaders…

Regarding the proposed new capital city of Indonesia (IKN), which is now being pushed and urged for the August 17th ceremony, Ari referred to it as a big leap that was decided by President Jokowi. "Not only to alleviate the burden of Jakarta and Java Island, but also for the even distribution of development and reduction of disparities between regions. The representation of progress, as the concept of developing a new national capital will prove Indonesia's capability and talent," said Ari.

He is optimistic that President Jokowi can complete his legacy. "With a clear vision and direction,leadership and output-oriented field management, anddelivered, I am confident that the President can complete the legacy< /i>," said Ari.

With experience leading from 2014 to 2024, as Governor of DKI Jakarta, as well as two terms as Mayor of Surakarta, President Jokowi is considered to be able to bring something new to the nation's progress. “Power is displayed in a character that is not distant. President who comes from mediocre people. However, Pak Jokowi continued and invited everyone to move. "That means that the President, who comes from an ordinary person, wants to make Indonesia extraordinary in an unusual way," he said. (Kompas, 10/26/2021)

Is it possible?