The recent political safari activities carried out by Indonesia's 7th President, Joko Widodo, have come under sharp scrutiny from academics. Chancellor of Paramadina University, Didik J. Rachbini, assessed that these moves are not merely ordinary social calls, but a strong form of political consolidation capable of influencing the national landscape, up to the upcoming 2029 Elections.
Didik highlighted a contradiction between Jokowi's current maneuvers and his previous statements indicating he would return to being an ordinary civilian after leaving office. According to him, the intensity of these political maneuvers risks shifting the focus of the government and political elites away from solving real economic issues facing the public.
Government stability is currently viewed as a crucial variable, given Jokowi's remaining significant influence, especially with Gibran Rakabuming Raka holding the Vice Presidency. Didik reminded that the solidity of the relationship between President Prabowo Subianto and Jokowi will determine the continuity of national economic programs.
From a political economy perspective, this dynamic serves as an important signal for business actors and investors. Increased competition at the elite level often triggers a higher perception of risk, which in turn can disrupt economic policy certainty and the domestic investment climate.
Although Indonesia's fundamental economic indicators such as economic growth, inflation, and the trade balance remain stable, external pressure on the rupiah exchange rate and the capital market is considered not entirely separate from non-economic factors. Didik stressed that if political uncertainty persists, it is feared to weigh on national economic prospects in the long term.
