2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections Can Continue Legacy of Development and Innovation in President Jokowi’s Leadership Era
By: Hendra Pratama
The 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections are an important moment in the history of Indonesian democracy. The regional political contestation not only serves as an arena for electing local leaders, but also as a means to continue the various legacies of development and innovation that have been pioneered in the era of President Joko Widodo.
During his two terms of leadership, the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia has laid a strong foundation for infrastructure progress, regional innovation, and better governance. The 2024 Regional Head Election is an opportunity to continue this grand vision, with the hope that synchronization between the central and regional governments will continue.
Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, stated that the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections was able to align the visions between the central and regional governments. According to him, the existence of parallel elections is expected to improve government administration at the regional level while aligning regional policies with national programs.
With this alignment, the development process that has been started by President Jokowi can be continued and strengthened by newly elected regional leaders. This is also important to ensure that national development is not hampered by differences in vision at the regional level.
In the era of President Joko Widodo, infrastructure development has become one of the most prominent achievements. The man born in 1961 has worked hard to connect all regions of Indonesia through massive infrastructure projects.
The construction of toll roads, bridges, airports, ports, and other public facilities aims to increase mobility and national competitiveness. The development has proven successful in driving an increase in Indonesia’s competitiveness ranking in the World Competitiveness Ranking from 34th to 27th position.
The increase not only reflects success at the global level, but also serves as evidence that the infrastructure built really provides real benefits to the community. The utilization of this infrastructure is expected to be continued by regional leaders from the 2024 Regional Head Elections.
President Jokowi has emphasized that infrastructure development is not only a symbol of physical progress, but also part of a grand strategy to realize Indonesia-centric, where every region can feel the benefits of development evenly.
With the presence of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections, the elected regional leaders are expected to be able to continue these projects, strengthen cooperation with the central government, and provide direct benefits to the people in their respective regions. This is very important, considering that many regions have great potential but need support from adequate infrastructure to develop.
Not only in terms of infrastructure, innovation at the regional level is also one aspect that has received great attention in the era of President Jokowi. The Head of the Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Yusharto Huntoyungo, emphasized the importance of innovation that is not only in the form of ideas but must contain updates that provide real benefits to the community.
Innovation at the regional level, both in the form of policies and public services, is a key element in sustainable regional development. Regional leaders elected through the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections are expected to be able to create innovations that are relevant to local needs, which will ultimately improve the quality of life of the community and accelerate regional progress.
Innovation in the regions also plays an important role in supporting the national development agenda. With innovative regional leaders, policies made at the local level can be more responsive to new challenges that arise, including in the economic, social and environmental fields.
In the era of President Joko Widodo, innovation has become one of the main driving forces in strengthening competitiveness and improving the quality of public services. The sustainability of this innovation is the responsibility of the regional leaders who will be elected later, where they must be able to create new breakthroughs that can have a direct impact on society.
The 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections are also one of the benchmarks for the success of democracy in Indonesia. Active community participation in electing competent regional leaders who have a development vision that is in line with the national program will determine the sustainability of the achievements that have been achieved during President Jokowi’s two terms of leadership.
Pilkada is not just an election, but also an event for the community to participate in shaping the direction of regional and national development. With a high level of participation, it is hoped that leaders will be elected who can lead their regions to more significant progress.
President Jokowi’s success in building participatory democracy is also seen from various programs that encourage community involvement in the political process. Community participation in elections, both nationally and regionally, is one of the main pillars in maintaining the sustainability of a healthy democracy.
In the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections, public participation is very important because it will determine regional leaders who are able to continue the national development vision pioneered by President Jokowi.
Healthy and participatory democracy will ensure that development in each region can run in line with national development, so that people’s welfare can continue to increase.
Through the Pilkada, the public has the opportunity to elect leaders who will continue the various development achievements and innovations in the era of President Jokowi. The legacy of development, both in the form of infrastructure and policy innovation, is the foundation for Indonesia to move forward.
The 2024 Regional Head Elections are an important moment in ensuring that every region in Indonesia can continue to move forward, with leaders who have a clear vision and are able to continue the direction of national development that has been carefully designed.
Thus, the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections are not just a political event, but also a golden opportunity to continue the legacy of development and innovation that has been built in the era of President Jokowi. The elected regional leaders are expected to be able to lead their regions towards progress, innovate, and remain in line with the national development vision.
*) Public Policy and Political Researcher – Center for People’s Political Studies (PSPR)
