Public Polarized In Approval of Government

Name: Public Polarized In Approval of Government
Uploaded: 2021-05-03T03:49:35Z
Duration: 20 min 32 s
Description: Even though conflicts between groups, terrorism and separatism still occur, Jokowi’s performance is still considered satisfactory.

Even though conflicts between groups, terrorism and separatism still occur, Jokowi’s performance is still considered satisfactory.

BESTIAN NAINGGOLAN

· 5 minutes read

https://cdn-assetd.kompas.id/4Ie19roImpSzGpmFdX67Is1t1-4=/1024x606/https%3A%2F%2Fkompas.id%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F09%2FUN-General-Assembly_92016040_1600828430.jpg — UNTV VIA AP
In this image made from UNTV video, Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, speaks in a pre-recorded message which was played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, at UN headquarters in New York. The U.N.\'s first virtual meeting of world leaders started Tuesday with pre-recorded speeches from some of the planet\'s biggest powers, kept at home by the coronavirus pandemic that will likely be a dominant theme at their video gathering this year.

Throughout the leadership of President Joko Widodo, it seems clear that this past year has been the toughest test he has faced. The unexpected Covid-19 pandemic has hit the economic, social and political spheres of this country.

Let’s not forget that Jokowi\'s administration also has to deal with other problems that are far from trivial. In addition to the challenge of bringing prosperity to the people, the problems of security and stability, such as the threat of disintegration, terrorism and a fair law enforcement, are crucial issues that still need to be resolved.

Also read: Public Appreciation Can Become Social Capital for Government

The President and his ministerial Cabinet are working under this kind of critical juncture. However, what is interesting is that, in the midst of such a critical situation, the government still enjoys a high degree of public approval.

This proportion has consistently increased when compared to several surveys conducted throughout this pandemic.

In the latest public opinion survey conducted by Kompas Research and Development in April, more than two-thirds (69.1 percent) of the respondents expressed satisfaction with Jokowi\'s leadership. This proportion has consistently increased when compared to several surveys conducted throughout this pandemic.

Also read: President Jokowi’s Political Communication Style

If we look at the details, the increase in the level of public satisfaction occurs in all areas of assessment. The highest increase was seen in the political and security aspects, including in the government\'s efforts to guarantee the freedom of opinion and respect differences as well as in its efforts to maintain security and stability. Even though conflicts between groups, terrorism and separatism still occur, Jokowi’s performance is still considered satisfactory.

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Public satisfaction also extends to law enforcement. For the majority of the public, the government\'s efforts to resolve legal cases and ensure justice for every citizen are considered satisfying. Although the eradication of corruption has ensnared members of the government Cabinet, public appreciation toward the government\'s performance in upholding law and justice has not been eroded.

It is even more interesting if we look at the economic performance. Economic conditions, which often receive the lowest point of assessment, especially in the pandemic era, this time are gradually increasing. In the midst of economic pressures that have not yet provided adequate room for movement, which is also directly demonstrated through low scores on economic indicators, satisfaction is expressed by more than half of the respondents.

However, the overall performance of the government is considered satisfactory.

A number of government efforts to control the prices of goods and services, provide direct social assistance and seek economic empowerment of farmers and fishermen have won appreciation. There are indeed obstacles in providing employment that are considered unsatisfactory. However, the overall performance of the government is considered satisfactory.

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On other problems, particularly those related to social welfare, public satisfaction stands at 71.3 percent. The proportion has also consistently increased in the past year, most prominently related to government policies and efforts in the health sector, which directly intersect with the pandemic impacts. Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has not yet been resolved, nearly three-quarters of the people approve of the government\'s performance.

A majority of those questioned said they were satisfied with the government\'s performance in improving the quality of education.

The situation is similar when it comes to education. When the pandemic forced changes in education policies and practices, some of which have been deemed questionable in terms of their effectiveness, the survey results support the policies. A majority of those questioned said they were satisfied with the government\'s performance in improving the quality of education.

Public understanding

The entire increase in public satisfaction is, of course, an achievement in itself for the current government Cabinet. The only problem is, behind the fact that the condition of the country during the pandemic is still problematic, how can we explain such an increase in public satisfaction?

If we look into it, various arguments are built on conditions that tend to be paradoxical. The high level of public appreciation amid a divisive pandemic can be read as a form of public understanding as well as high dependence and expectations on the government. For some of the public, even though the nation\'s problems throughout the pandemic are still complex, every attempt by the government is deemed sufficient to meet expectations. They believe that the government has made such efforts, and for that high appreciation is expressed.

Also read: Steps to Reconciliation

After all, in surveys that rely on public perceptions, the stated reality is not always identical with factual conditions. There is a dynamic construction of reality in the social space which can be used as a basis for constructing the perceptions of each individual. The various influences of individual backgrounds and the various social interventions that accompany them can play a role in sorting out and differentiating the patterns of the individual\'s experiences.

Political bias

If the survey results are sorted based on respondents’ political identification, differences can be seen. Sympathizers of President Jokowi express appreciation and satisfaction up to 84.5 percent. This condition also shows that the process of consolidating the strength of President Jokowi’s supporters as of April is increasingly crystallizing.

In this group, less than half of the respondents (44 percent) expressed satisfaction, while the majority were dissatisfied.

On the other hand, most respondents who do not call themselves supporters or political sympathizers of President Jokowi show less appreciation for the performance of the government. In this group, less than half of the respondents (44 percent) expressed satisfaction, while the majority were dissatisfied. Likewise, if we look at the assessments of this group of respondents over time, there is no significant change in appreciation. That is, they persistently feel dissatisfied.

The difference in assessment of the two groups of respondents at the same time shows that the current increase in public appreciation and satisfaction is still political. (KOMPAS R&D )

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswoko).

Editor:

naranasrullah

government’s performance kompascetak president joko widodo public satisfaction Jokowi’s performance Political bias Public understanding