Researcher in the Brainware Special Task Force Unit of the University of Indonesia
IO – Joko Widodo’s electability has slipped below the 50% psychological threshold. This shows a great change among our people’s minds: we are suddenly made aware of the fact that more than half of us no longer trust him as our President for another term. In other words, more than half of the people hold a different aspiration the future of Indonesia. This more than half is no longer beguiled by a tale of the “Nawacita” (“Nine Aspirations”) or the motto “work, work, work”. Their aspiration and mental stance far exceed what Joko Widodo apparently offers.
What do they actually yearn for, then?
Their first ideal is one of a President who thinks before he acts, so that any decision he makes will be solid, not fickle, changeable without any clear direction. They no longer want a President who is, as the Javanese say, “isuk dele, sore tempe”, one thing in the morning and another in the evening (lit. “like soybeans in the morning, turning to tempeh in the evening”).
The second ideal is that of a President who supports the people not just by his words, but also his deeds. There would therefore be no more damaging policies such as: unchecked imports, Social Insurance Administration Organization (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial – “BPJS”) deficits and steep arrears threatening the medical system, and taking on reckless debts from foreign countries. A President who closes his eyes to cases and conflicts that hurt the people and go unsolved, without the courage to seek resolution.
The third ideal is a President who uses religion as spiritual guidelines instead of a freak show. Religion should no longer serve as a “commodity” in identity-based politics. One who bestows respect upon the ulema and space to perform their duties, including admonishing the Government if it fails to support the will of the people.
The fourth ideal is that of a democratic President who has the courage to receive and listen to citizens when they have a grievance or ask the President to keep his promises. There are thus no more groups of people who feel disappointed because their voice is ignored by the Government. There will be no more citizens who are criminalized or persecuted because their opinions conflict with those of the Government.
The fifth ideal is a President who is internationally respected. This will allow Indonesia to play a more serious role in geopolitical moves, including protecting the economic interests of the domestic market.
These are the least of the five ideals that people hold about post-Jokowi days. There are still hundreds of others not discussed in this article, ideals already distributed through the people’s lines of communication.
This expression of the imagination now goes viral with the #IndonesiaPascaJokowi (“#PostJokowiIndonesia”) hashtag. This bigger half who do not want Indonesia to be led by the same man in the future, is now competing to cherish hope of a better Indonesia than what is offered today – an Indonesia whose people can still hope and nurture optimism, one whose President is a qualified, honest, patriotic, and sincere man.
Ideal is prayer.
Prayer generates conviction.
Conviction is the basis of action.