Jokowi: We are Open to Anybody who Wants to Work Together

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo gestures during an interview with Kompas chief editor Ninuk Mardiana Pambudi on Monday (1/7/2019) at Bogor Palace, West Java.

The 2019 presidential election officially ended after the General Elections Commission (KPU) declared Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Ma\'ruf Amin the president and vice president-elect for the 2019-2024 term on Sunday. The end of the contestation gave rise to a number of hopes, such as the end of the polarization in the community caused by the election and immediate joint steps to build the nation.

"This is a big country with a lot of problems. We are open to anyone who wants to work together to advance this nation, build this nation, be open," President Jokowi said in a special interview with the editor in chief of Kompas, Ninuk Mardiana Pambudy, on Monday (1/7/2019), at Bogor Palace, West Java.

In this interview, Jokowi said infrastructure development that was intensively carried out in the first period of his administration would be carried out in a wider and faster range in the second period. Human resource development will also be intensified. To open employment opportunities as widely as possible, investment and exports will continue to be increased. To realize this, bureaucratic and structural reform must also be carried out. The right use of the state budget will be the government\'s focus. "We want this government to be effective, efficient and not long-winded," he said.

ANTARA FOTO/WAHYU PUTRO A

President Joko Widodo (third left) along with Vice President Jusuf Kalla (third right) puts the first stone for the construction of the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII), which is part of the national strategic projects, assisted by Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin (second right) and witnessed by Minister of Research and Technology Dikti M Nasir (far left), Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono (second left) and West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan (right) in Depok, West Java, on Tuesday (5/6/2018). The UIII development on a 142.5-hectare plot of land with seven faculties at a cost of Rp 3.5 trillion is a government program to build the center of Indonesian Islamic civilization.

The following is an excerpt of the interview with President Jokowi.

What are the concrete steps of structural bureaucratic reform?

There will be major reforms because thus far we have been too procedural. This must be simplified because now changes are happening quickly. If we just stick to a routine, just like the past, we will be left behind. It can\'t (be like this again). It means that government policies must be flexible.

To be able to accommodate that, a strong Cabinet with integrity is needed. What kind of Cabinet will be formed?

The Cabinet that we need is, first, the minister must be able to execute programs correctly and quickly. It means that he or she must be a strong executor. Second, he or she must understand management. In the fields of public works, health and education, his or her management and managerial experience has to be truly good. The minister has to be able to manage, both the personnel and budget side, so that the ministry is truly effective. Third, the next Cabinet may be colored with young people.

How young are they?

There could be ministers aged 20-25 years. But, he or she must understand managerial skills, management, be capable of executing existing programs. There will also be many in their 30s. This is because now and in the future people need to be dynamic, flexible and be able to catch up with very fast-changing times. Energetic, and all of that exists in young children.

Even though there may be those who are worried about their experience in government management?

In this case, there will be coordinating ministers who can coordinate and give direction. I think there is no need to worry about this. Many are from politics, but they are professional. The Cabinet will be filled with experts in their fields. Do not discriminate. We will also concentrate on the Indonesia Work Coalition internally. If there are new people who want to enter, I will arrange it. But, we are open.

Kompas’ R & D division held a poll about expectations about your upcoming term, without having to wait for 20 October. Besides uniting the people who are polarized due to the election, it also reaffirms the Pancasila ideology and strengthens public institutions. How will you answer the wishes of the people?

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo on Monday (1/7/2019) at Bogor Palace, West Java.

We will respond by carrying out programs that are in accordance with the wishes of the people. In the recent election,there was polarization, in the future we must work together again. In politics there are those who win and those who lose; there are regions that win and others that lose. But, as I have disclosed earlier, I am the president of all the people of Indonesia, without exception. So, there is no such thing as a losing region. In the presidential election, there was a lot of identity politics, which were related to ethnicity and religion. I think it must be abandoned. We must move toward ripeness in politics, political maturity and that starts from the political elite.

Politics of identity and populism are everywhere, including Indonesia. What will be done to strengthen Pancasila ideology so that it is accepted by the millennial generation?

We have the BPIP (Pancasila Ideology Development Agency). The way (to strengthen the Pancasila ideology) downward, especially among young people, requires contemporary methods, and cannot be indoctrinated as previously done. Later it can be through comics, movies or social media. Therefore, people will feel that Pancasila remains relevant to its era.

Regarding the division of community, Bapak, you mentioned the role of the elite and invited them to work together. During the declaration by the KPU, Bapak, you mentioned inviting Pak Prabowo and Pak Sandi to work together because Indonesia is so big and the problems are complex. What kind of support is expected from the two of them?

This is a big country, so the role of the political elite is very important in embracing everything so that it can be seen by the people, namely by giving an example. Religious and community leaders must also be able to provide examples, cool down the situation, be soothing.

What about the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the commissioners of which will see their terms end?

I hope we will immediately get a new KPK leadership through the selection committee in accordance with the wishes of the people so that the KPK can truly be optimal in eradicating corruption. But, there also needs for prevention programs by the KPK and maybe cooperation with ministries/institutions to build a system that really prevents the existence of fraud.

How is the division of tasks with Pak Ma\'ruf Amin.

I\'m flexible. This is a big country, there are many problems so in my opinion, it is better to be flexible. Just as with Pak JK now. If there are problems that can be resolved by the vice president, go ahead.

Will Pak JK and your current assistants also be involved in the upcoming term?

All those who can still contribute to this country, especially Pak JK, with his long experience in politics and economics, I think this country still needs them. It is our duty to work together and develop this nation. ( NTA/ INA/ HAR)