by: Ahmad Harris )*
On several occasions, both Prabowo and Sandiaga Uno and their supporters often accused the current government of not being pro-people. Starting from the issue of rising prices of basic commodities, prices of basic necessities increased, too much debt continued to be raised to create an opinion that Jokowi’s policies were burdensome to the people. In fact, even in the inaugural debate, Sandiaga and Prabowo brought a case study of small people who were persecuted to show that the officers under Jokowi’s leadership did not guarantee the rights of the small people.
Although the effort to influence the public perception was often played by Prabowo-Sandi, in fact Jokowi was able to break it with real performance. One of them is related to Jokowi’s policy in providing electricity to the people in Garut. In mid-January, Jokowi inaugurated free electricity connections to 30,937 pre-prosperous households in Garut, West Java. The free electricity connection is provided with a power capacity of up to 450 VA which can be used for the use of TVs, rice cookers and lights.
The inauguration of the electricity connection is part of the ‘BUMN Present for the Country: Connect Free Electricity for Unable Families’ program, around the southern part of West Java and Banten. Previously, there were around 200 thousand homes in the West Java region that still did not have electricity connections independently. With the program, at the end of 2018, around 100 thousand houses have been facilitated with the free electricity connection. Through the installation of a self-contained electricity connection, Jokowi expects the surrounding community to optimize the quality of life and improve welfare.
This target can certainly be achieved if the government synergizes with each other optimally in carrying out it. At least, in the program, 34 BUMNs participated in providing free electricity connections. The BUMNs include Telkom, BRI, Pertamina, Bank Mandiri, BNI, Angkasa Pura II, Pelindo II, BTN, Fertilizer Indonesia, Wijaya Karya, PT PP, PGN, Waskita Karya, Pegadaian, PTPN III, Antam, Jasa Marga, Services Raharja, Taspen, Airnav, Askrindo. In addition, there are also Jasindo, ASDP Indonesia, National Logistics Agency, Jamkrindo, Biofarma, Semen Indonesia, Hutama Karya, Kereta Api Indonesia, Dahana, Perhutani, Pindad, Pos Indonesia and Jiwasraya.
Seeing the government’s seriousness in running the program synergistically shows a little more about the government’s attention to the small people. The policy shows that the government is present not as an increase in the burden of the people but as a person who protects every community. Indirectly, the Jokowi program is also a sign that the rotten perception created by Prabowo Sandi and the team is just mere fiction and essay.
In fact, President Jokowi was able to show that his program was not intended to burden the people but to provide welfare to the people.
*) FISIP students, Dharma Agung University
