The 2024 presidential election is still 2.5 years away. The date has still not been agreed. Even so, ripples have begun to form in national politics.
The National Leadership Survey conducted in October 2021 by Kompas Research and Development showed that 37.2 percent of respondents had not decided on their preferred choice among the presidential candidates. It appears the public has not been overly focused on the presidential election, which is still a long time away, and they are still busy with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, when compared to the surveys in August 2020, January 2021, and April 2021, the percentage of respondents replying undecided/none/no answer/secret has grown smaller.
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The same names appear in the public's mind when they are openly asked about their choice for president, with a focus on the national figures who appear widely in the media. However, a shift has begun in the political support base. This situation, of course, will encourage political parties nominating their cadres and independent candidates to move more quickly. (Kompas, 20/10/2021)
Of the top 10 names, most are figures in the government, namely ministers in the Onward Indonesia Cabinet and governors. The Cabinet ministers are Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who is also the general chairman of the Gerindra Party (13.9 percent), Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini (4.9 percent), Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno (4.6 percent), and Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud M.D. (1.9 percent). The regional heads are Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo (13.9 percent), Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (9.6 percent), and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (5.1 percent). The three others in the top 10 are former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (4.5 percent), Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimuti Yudhoyono (1.9), and former TNI commander Gatot Nurmantyo (1.1).
This situation will certainly disrupt the government’s effectiveness. In fact, a big challenge still lies ahead, namely the Covid-19 pandemic that has triggered a prolonged economic crisis, led to increased unemployment and plunged many into the abyss of poverty, and the end to which remains unseen.
This figure shows an increase compared to August 2020 (65.9 percent) and January 2021 (66.3 percent), but a decrease of 2.7 percent when compared to April 2021 (69.1 percent).
The latest Kompas survey also shows that the level of satisfaction with the government's performance stands at 66.4 percent. This figure shows an increase compared to August 2020 (65.9 percent) and January 2021 (66.3 percent), but a decrease of 2.7 percent when compared to April 2021 (69.1 percent).
Faced with such a situation, President Joko Widodo certainly needs to ensure that his government can run more effectively in the remaining years, so that he can leave behind the memory of a successful two-term president.
For the governors who are running for president in 2024, hard work in the remaining time is a must. Only evidence of success will convince voters, not just promises. The president leaves a legacy, while presidential candidates must show the evidence.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).
