Core of People’s Lives

The public is satisfied with the performance of the administration of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin. However, some indicators still have room for improvement.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO (PRI)

Ondel-ondel buskers sing among a group of residents exercising in the Pondok Aren area, South Tangerang, Sunday (18/7/2020) morning Ondel-ondel buskers sing among a group of residents exercising in the Pondok Aren area, South Tangerang, Sunday (18/7/2020). The Kompas survey said the public was satisfied with the performance of the government of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin..

Though public satisfaction with the government is on the rise again, there are seven challenges in the domains of law enforcement, the economy and social welfare that must be resolved by policy breakthroughs. In the remaining 20 months of President Jokowi and Vice President Amin's terms of office, these breakthroughs must be prioritized for the administration to leave a lasting legacy for the next government.

An increase in public satisfaction with government performance is enough reason to continue improvements on various fronts. According to Litbang Kompas, the research arm of Kompas daily, in January 2023, 69.3 percent of respondents were satisfied with the Jokowi-Amin administration, an increase of 7.2 percent from the survey in October 2022.

Also read:

> Appreciation of Government Performance Increasing

> Public Satisfaction, the Government’s Primary Asset

This figure is the second-highest score during Jokowi's second term after the survey in January 2022, which recorded 73.9 percent. However, seven indicators are still below 50 percent, namely eradicating bribery, eradicating corruption, collusion and nepotism, fair treatment by law enforcement, fishers and farmers' empowerment, job creation, price control and overcoming poverty (Kompas, 20/2/2023).

Based on the low performances of these seven indicators, we find that all of them are related to the core of the people's lives. These seven indicators make up the basic needs of people, namely to be treated fairly and to have the right to a decent life. All of this will serve as a legacy for the next leader, though managing these issues is the state's responsibility to its citizens.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

A motorbike rider crosses a banner outreaching extortion as an illegal act.

Law enforcement, which often goes viral and becomes a hot topic for discussion, is not enough. There is another side that people are waiting for. For the grassroots, they need illegal levies to be addressed and easy access to fair treatment before the law. We still often hear of various illegal levies on the streets and in the government offices, which have troubled many people.

The disbursement of subsidies and various social aid did not automatically satisfy the people. More job opportunities are needed for people to be respected within society. Controlling prices and tackling poverty will also elevate their dignity. The key is in the honor that people want.

How can the government live up to these expectations? Logical steps, such as the eradication of bribery and extortion, must be taken immediately. This includes the ease of obtaining permits, easing access to public services and dismissing officials who engaged in extortion. The people await widespread job opportunities and guaranteed prices for staple goods.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia