The political safari activities carried out by the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, are currently under sharp scrutiny from academics. Prof. Didik J. Rachbini, Rector of Paramadina University, considers that these political moves not only affect the competitive landscape leading up to the 2029 elections, but also threaten economic stability amid challenges facing the rupiah exchange rate and capital market volatility.
In Prof. Didik's view, Jokowi's narrative of returning to being an ordinary citizen in Solo now appears contradictory to the reality on the ground. He described the former president's political moves as a fairly blatant maneuver, indicating a shift in the relations within the current government coalition. These activities are seen as capable of diverting the political elite's attention from economic development agendas crucial to the public.
Furthermore, Prof. Didik emphasized that Jokowi's strong political influence—particularly through networks now connected to the position of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka—has the potential to create friction with President Prabowo Subianto's administration. It is feared that this tension will consume the government's energy, causing the focus on national economic policy to be neglected.
From a political economy perspective, the uncertainty arising from the dynamics between the president and the former president is viewed as a negative signal for investors and business actors. Although Indonesia's fundamental economic indicators currently still show a positive trend, Prof. Didik stressed that non-economic pressures resulting from elite rivalry are precisely the main obstacle creating risks of business uncertainty in Indonesia.
