Choosing the acting officials requires careful consideration from the outset. Aspirations and inputs that arise during the process need to be considered.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
The inauguration of five acting governors on Thursday (12/5/2022) marks the start of a wave of appointing of caretaker leaders in the regions.
In addition to the five acting governors of the Bangka Belitung Islands, Banten, Gorontalo, West Sulawesi and West Papua, six mayors and 37 regents/deputy regents will also be sworn in this month. From now until 2023, as many as 271 acting regional heads will be appointed to serve until a regional head is elected at the 2024 simultaneous regional elections (Pilkada).
During the discussion of the XYZ Forum held at Kompas’ editorial office on Tuesday (10/5), it was revealed that a number of parties had been lobbying actively to appoint certain officials as acting regional heads since 2014, when the regional elections were postponed from their initially scheduled dates in 2022 and 2023. The lobbying was allegedly carried out by outgoing regional heads, the political elite at the national and regional levels who wanted to fill the upcoming vacancies post, and political parties touting their own candidates.
At the same time, a number of critical feedback also surfaced regarding the process of appointing acting regional heads, which was deemed to be nontransparent and did not involve the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD).
The various lobbying and criticism indicate that the position of acting regional head is a strategic one, partly because the caretaker officials will hold their posts for a relatively long time of up to 2.5 years, and because the general election and the simultaneous regional elections will be held while they are in office. Although the bureaucracy must maintain neutrality in politics, the opposite often occurs in practice.
In addition to having authority over the regional budget and administration, the acting heads will also play an important role in distributing slices of the economic pie in their regions.
However, one thing that must be realized is that the appointment of acting regional heads is occurring at a time when the country’s condition is not very conducive. Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has begun to subside, rising inflation and high unemployment may threaten economic recovery. The increasing prices of basic necessities and energy have started to have an impact on society, and it is not known when this condition will end.
History shows that economic problems intertwined with politics can turn bad in this country.
Recovering the economy and maintaining regional stability are among the challenges that the incoming interim officials must face. In this regard, they need not only time, knowledge, and integrity, but also political acceptance in their respective regions.
Therefore, choosing the acting officials requires careful consideration from the outset. Aspirations and inputs that arise during the process need to be considered. The Home Ministry’s aim to evaluate the performance of acting regional heads must be carried out strictly, transparently, and with clear criteria. Don’t hesitate to replace incompetent officials.
In this way, we can pass through the transition period towards the 2024 general election and regional elections smoothly, until finally, democracy is consolidated more firmly.
This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.