In a recent development, Joko Widodo, the outgoing President of Indonesia, has experienced a decline in his approval rating, according to a survey conducted by Indikator Politik Indonesia. The poll, which involved 1,200 participants and was carried out in late September 2024, revealed that Widodo's approval rating has dropped to 75%, marking the lowest point this year.
This decline comes as Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic state comprising over 17,000 islands, prepares for a leadership transition. Despite the decrease, Widodo's current approval rating remains higher than the average throughout most of his decade-long presidency, which began in 2014 when he became the 7th President of Indonesia.
The survey results indicate a 7 percentage point decrease from the all-time high of 82% recorded in July 2024. Burhanuddin Muhtadi, the chief researcher at Indikator Politik Indonesia, attributes this decline to public dissatisfaction over an unsuccessful attempt by legislators allied with Widodo to modify election rules in August 2024. The proposed change would have lowered the minimum age requirement for regional elections, potentially allowing Widodo's youngest son to run for a provincial deputy governor position.
The attempted rule change sparked heated protests in several cities across Indonesia, a country with a population exceeding 270 million. Demonstrators even stormed the gates of the national parliament before being repelled by riot police using water cannons. This public outcry led to the abandonment of the proposed changes.
"As long as the economic conditions are good, people will be satisfied with the president."
Despite the recent decline, Widodo's overall approval rating remains high. Burhanuddin suggests that this is largely due to the public's perception of relatively good economic conditions under his administration, including effective management of inflation. The government has also offered numerous incentives to the public, contributing to the president's sustained popularity.
It's worth noting that Indonesia, as the world's largest Muslim-majority country, has faced various challenges during Widodo's tenure. These include deforestation issues in some of the world's most biodiverse rainforests and the country's vulnerability to natural disasters due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
As Widodo prepares to hand over the presidency to Prabowo Subianto on October 20, 2024, questions arise about his future role and the preservation of his legacy. Subianto, a former rival and current defense minister, secured victory in the February 2024 election with Widodo's tacit backing.
Indonesia, known for its national motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity), continues to navigate the complexities of democracy and economic development. As the country with the world's second-longest coastline and home to unique wildlife like the Komodo dragon, Indonesia's future leadership will face the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and social progress.