Asia-Pacific Newsweek
December 19, 2024
jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has come under fierce criticism for appointing more than 100 people to his red-and-white cabinet, which may now be the largest in the world.
The problem is not just that a raft of new ministries and positions are expected to put pressure on the state budget. Furthermore, some appointees appear to have won their appointments simply by supporting the Presidential campaign of the President of the Revolutionary Party.
But as a former military man, Prabowo seemed content to instill discipline in his cabinet, that is, subjecting them to the close surveillance of Major Teddy Indra Wijaya, the president's cabinet secretary and former aide-de-camp.
On multiple widely reported occasions, senior government figures, and even Vice President Djibrand Rakhabumin Raqqa, have been called upon by Teddy when their actions or statements did not go in line with Prabowo's wishes. Telephone.
In some cases, this technique may be successful. Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman, the special envoy for religious development, resigned after being reprimanded by Teddy for mocking an iced tea vendor at a religious gathering he was hosting.
Prabowo said the minister's offer to resign was a “courageous move” but did not say whether he would accept it.
Earlier, Prabowo issued a warning to cabinet members through Teddy in a WhatsApp group. Teddy warned ministers to be careful when publishing letters on ministerial stationery, “especially letters about personal matters, to avoid matters that may spark public controversy”.
The warning comes after Village and Regional Development Minister Yandri Susanto was criticized for using a letter on the ministry's letterhead to invite local leaders in Banten to an event marking the second anniversary of his mother's death. Yandri later issued an apology.
These examples of bad behavior by cabinet members may have been well contained. But that doesn’t mean Prabowo deserves praise for the way he claps.
Members of Prabowo's cabinet now often refuse to answer reporters' unplanned questions and tend to limit their attendance at public events. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, previously known for being direct and outspoken, now often avoids questions, especially those related to the government's economic policies and how it plans to achieve 8% Issues related to growth goals.
While asking ministers to remain silent is not censorship of the public or the media, Teddy's frightening phone call is likely to cut off access to information of public interest, particularly about government policy, and will undermine perceptions of Prabo perceptions of transparency and accountability.
It is better to prevent a crisis in public confidence than to patch it up after the fact. Prabowo can do this by allowing ministers to address the public and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of his government. This can start with an honest understanding of the country's resources and government capabilities.
The president would be better off prioritizing his goals and hiring only competent people rather than maintaining a large cabinet that he may struggle to control. He must remember that his government is funded by the people, not charity.
The same priority principle applies to many of the populist promises Prabowo made during his presidential campaign, from 8% economic growth and building millions of affordable homes to free nutritious meals for children and breastfeeding mothers. .
We understand that the President means well and only wants the best for the country. But without good planning and execution, any plan will be in vain.
