Do not Rush; Restrain Your Desires

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

President Joko Widodo during a conversation before giving his jacket to supporting volunteers at the opening of the V Projo National Working Meeting at the Village Economic Center (Balkondes) Ngargogondo, Magelang, Central Java Province, Saturday (21/5/2022).2022).

The phrase aja kesusu has suddenly become a point of discussion in the political world. There may be truth to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s Javanese message.

Jokowi conveyed this message in his opening remarks at the national V Projo working meeting in Magelang, Central Java, on Saturday (21/5/2022). “Political matters, aja kesusu sik [are being rushed]. Do not rush -- do not hurry. Even though, perhaps, the one we support is here,” he said with a smile.

Jokowi reminded us that the country’s political dynamics are still unclear, since political parties have not yet selected candidates for the 2024 presidential race. More importantly, the country currently faces a great challenge, namely recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the Russia-Ukraine war. The government needs mutual support.

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These two crises we face, the impact of the pandemic and the war, cannot be underestimated. The monthly global Food Price Index rose to 12.6 percent in March, the highest figure recorded since 1990. This tsunami of inflation has impacted many countries. In fact, the highest inflation recorded in April 2022 broke records from between 20 to 41 years earlier, such as in Turkey, Italy, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany.

This message may be beneficial not only for volunteers supporting Jokowi, but also for political parties that currently make up the Indonesia Onwards Cabinet. If the government is unable to overcome the various problems that will arise in the next two years, then whoever is championed by the leading party will not look good in the eyes of the people.

BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN/RUSMAN

President Joko Widodo distributes direct aid to residents after walking around Muntilan Market, Magelang Regency, Central Java Province, Saturday (21/5/2022).

Australia’s recent elections clearly reflected this. Failure in the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the Omicron-fueled wave that caused more deaths, widespread forest fires and recent economic pressures were called out by political opponents and voters until the government finally changed.

The challenges that this country faces in the next two to seven years will be very different and may even be more difficult and complex. Thus, it is necessary to carefully determine who is most able to lead a country with a population of 300 million and abundant wealth that has not been managed properly.

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Preventing and anticipating the impacts of climate change, the impacts the communication and information technology revolution have on changing social relations, or even the impact digitalization has on the traditional economy are just some examples of the myriad of challenges that increase competitiveness between countries. On the other hand, nationalism is fading -- especially now that there is a transnational movement that denies the presence of the state.

The presence of a leader who unites and consolidates the strengths of the entire country is crucial -- a leader who is able to recognize all the challenges and respond to them appropriately and quickly. Restraint of desires and not rushing are both important to ensure the emergence of a new leader in a new era that is full of challenges.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.