JAKARTA – Political and economic observers have given high appreciation to the achievements of President Joko Widodo’s government in maintaining economic and political stability amidst global dynamics. The Director of the School of Global Strategic Studies, University of Indonesia, Athor Subroto, assessed Indonesia’s economic resilience over the past decade as an extraordinary achievement. Despite facing external pressures and disruptions in the global supply chain, Indonesia was able to maintain stable economic growth at 5%, while the stock market continued to approach the psychological level of 8,000.
According to Athor, the economic foundation built through the downstream policy has created a significant multiplier effect, strengthening the domestic production sector and increasing global competitiveness. “If this downstream policy is continued by the next government, the potential for economic growth to reach 8% is not impossible,” said Athor. He also emphasized the importance of cheaper and more environmentally friendly energy reforms to encourage national production cost efficiency.
Athor considered the transition of government from Jokowi to Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming as an important momentum. President Jokowi’s message to his staff to support the Prabowo-Gibran government was considered to provide a positive signal for market stability and business confidence. “A smooth transition is very necessary so that strategic programs that are already running can be continued directly without any disruption,” he added. This continuity, according to Athor, will ensure that Indonesia continues to progress, especially in achieving ambitious economic targets.
Faisyal Chaniago, Political Economy Observer of Bung Karno University, also praised President Jokowi’s political approach which successfully embraced various parties, including his political competitors. He assessed that this political harmonization strategy must be continued by Prabowo-Gibran to maintain national stability. “Jokowi’s political harmonization approach which embraces all components is very effective in creating political stability, and it is important for Prabowo to maintain it,” he said.
Faisyal also emphasized the importance of maintaining people’s purchasing power, which is the focus of Jokowi’s policies. “People’s purchasing power must be maintained so that economic growth at every level moves positively. Prabowo-Gibran is optimistic that this can be achieved through various flagship programs,” he explained. He hopes that the Prabowo-Gibran government will continue the downstreaming and infrastructure development policies that Jokowi has started. This transition period, according to Faisyal, must be properly monitored by all elements of society for the sake of the continuity of development programs.