Some Hope for the Common People after the Party...

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Volunteers unfurl a 200-meter red and white flag around the Bank Indonesia fountain roundabout, Central Jakarta, Sunday (20/10/2019), during the inauguration of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin for the 2019-2024 term.

The inauguration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Ma\'ruf Amin as president and vice president for the 2019-2024 term ended on Sunday (20/10/2019) afternoon, and the new administration seems to be an object of hope for many, according to some people working around the inauguration area at the Senayan legislative complex and the National Monument in Jakarta, where election campaign supporters of Joko Widodo and Ma\'ruf Amin were holding a simple celebration.

Ishak, 56, a janitor who has been working at the legislative complex since 1998, has witnessed the history of presidential inaugurations since the Reform Era began, including the inaugurations of fourth president Abdurrahman Wahid, fifth president Megawati Soekarnoputri, sixth president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and seventh President Joko Widodo.

During those 21 years, whenever the national leadership changed, Ishak’s hope vested in each new government was not too high. As an ordinary citizen with a modest monthly income, Ishak just wanted his life to get easier.

The most important thing for Ishak, who for decades has worked with an outsourcing firm, is lower living costs. Having worked for a long time cleaning spaces at the House of Representatives (DPR) building, Ishak is known by quite a number of DPR members, and he often receives additional income from them.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Artists perform at the people\'s party in the horse statue area, Central Jakarta, Sunday (20/10/2019). Various arts and entertainment attractions were presented to celebrate the inauguration of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin for the 2019-2024 term.

"The important thing is that eating is not too expensive, that staple food is affordable; it\'s that simple," he said.

Now, at the time of the inauguration of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin, Ishak still has that hope. In addition, he also hopes to send his five children to study at university.

One other thing that got Ishak’s attention is the domestic security situation, which he believes is now rather tense. Compared to the first inauguration of Jokowi, security is more tight at this second one, according to Ishak.

Health insurance

Nur Haliza, 20, another janitor at the legislative complex, left her home in Parung Panjang, Bogor, West Java, early in the morning to board a commuter train (KRL).

On an ordinary day, Nur arrives at Palmerah Station at 6:00 a.m. or 6:30 a.m. at the latest. However, because the KRL did not stop at Palmerah Station on Inauguration Day, she had to get off at Kebayoran Lama Station on Sunday and ride to Senayan by motorcycle taxi.

Nur\'s hands were holding a broom and dustpan. While talking, she continued to collect trash scattered in front of the Nusantara III building. She expressed hope that the government would not increase premiums for the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS).

Hopefully Pak Jokowi and Pak Ma\'ruf Amin do not increase the BPJS premium.

She said that, with her monthly wage of Rp 4 million, her BPJS premium amounted to Rp 200,000 a month. Her wage is not only used for her own needs but also those of her parents, not to mention the needs of her two younger siblings she helps school expenses. "Hopefully Pak Jokowi and Pak Ma\'ruf Amin do not increase the BPJS premium," she said.

Free from corruption

The area around the National Monument (Monas) was enlivened by the presence of supporters of Joko Widodo and Ma\'ruf Amin, who mingled in with the general public celebrating the presidential inauguration for the 2019-2024 term. People had come from various regions to celebrate the event.

Sukirman, 65, was one of them. The resident of Surabaya, East Java, said he had traveled to Jakarta by pedicab, departing from Surabaya on Oct. 7 with only Rp 175,000 in his pocket. He took the southern route of Java, peddling his way through heat and dust of the road, often spending the night in his pedicab.

"The objective for going to Jakarta is to share in the happiness of Pak Jokowi\'s inauguration. Hopefully he can give more attention to the common people," said Sukirman.

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

A trader at Plaza Orion electronic shop, Tamansari, West Jakarta, watches a TV broadcast of the inauguration of Joko Widodo and Ma\'ruf Amin as President and Vice President for the 2019-2024 term at Nusantara Building, Senayan Legislative Complex, Jakarta, Sunday (20/10/2019).

He had high hopes in the second term of President Joko Widodo\'s administration. He wanted the President\'s policies, especially in agriculture, to be more favorable for small farmers like himself. Moreover, he hoped Jokowi would increase employment. "My child has not had a permanent job and works odd tasks," said Sukirman.

Ali Fauzan, 22, a janitor with the Central Jakarta Environment Agency, who was assigned to cleaning the inauguration celebration area in Monas, expressed hope the new government would launch a phase of cleaner politics. He hoped Indonesia could free itself from corruption. "Officials should [remember their] mandate so that the people will respect them," he said.

People\'s expectations of the Joko Widodo-Ma\'ruf Amin\'s government vary. However, one conclusion that can be drawn is the need to pay more attention to the welfare of people on low incomes. (REK/AGE/DVD/SHR/IGA/INA/NTA/FAI/DIV)