The Rector of Paramadina University, Prof. Didik J. Rachbini, Ph.D., has launched sharp criticism against the political safari steps taken by the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. According to Didik, the political maneuvers carried out by Jokowi to various regions are not just ordinary activities, but strategic moves that have the potential to negatively impact the national economy amidst existing global pressures.
Didik highlighted the contradiction between Jokowi's promise to return to being an ordinary citizen after stepping down and the reality of the political movements he is currently showing. He assessed that the move shows a vulgar long-term political intention, which is believed to muddy the national political constellation and trigger elite rivalries that are irrelevant to the public's urgent needs regarding economic welfare.
Furthermore, Didik observed that the intensity of this rivalry is exacerbated by the massive working visit activities carried out by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. This condition is seen as draining the power energy and becoming a burden for the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, especially in maintaining the focus of the development agenda and national economic recovery.
Didik's analysis also touched on the potential rift in relations between Jokowi and President Prabowo Subianto, which is feared to trigger political uncertainty. He emphasized that for business actors and investors, unstable political dynamics will increase business risks and disrupt economic expectations, even though Indonesia's macroeconomic fundamentals currently show relatively good signs of recovery.
In closing, Didik emphasized that the economic pressure currently experienced by Indonesia does not only stem from external factors, but is increasingly compounded by non-economic factors due to premature elite rivalry. He concluded that the political safari has no direct link to public interests and is instead a hindering factor in efforts to maintain national stability.
