Presiden Jokowi Akui Demi Rakyat Tidak Khawatir Popularitasnya Melorot
Widodo Admitted Prepared to Lose the Popularity as Indonesian President
Reporter : Rizki Saleh
Editor : Cahyani Harzi
Translator : Dhelia Gani
Jakarta (B2B) - Presiden RI Joko Widodo mengaku tidak khawatir popularitasnya melorot akibat kebijakannya tidak populer, namun dia meyakini kebijakannya untuk kepentingan masyarakat.
"Waktu mengalihkan subsidi BBM November, lalu saya diingatkan mengalihkan ini menghilangkan subsidi dan popularitas jatuh, itu risiko dan tidak ada masalah," kata Presiden Jokowi saat menghadiri Jambore Komunitas Juang Relawan Jokowi di Bumi Perkemahan Cibubur, Jakarta Timur pada Sabtu (16/5).
Presiden menegaskan, "memang sakit saya tahu, perubahan dimulai dengan yang sakit, banyak yang memaki ke saya, tapi yang hadir disini nggak ada, saya siap tidak populer, saya siap dimaki-maki jangan dipikir Jokowi itu penakut."
"Ini memang kerja jangka menengah dan jangka panjang tetapi semuanya memang memerlukan pengorbanan," paparnya.
Kepala negara mengatakan meski tantangan ekonomi yang dihadapi tidak ringan, namun ia optimistis pertumbuhan tahun ini lebih baik dari tahun kemarin.
"Kalau ada suara miring tolong diluruskan. Sebetulnya seperti ini, nanti golnya yang terakhir ini, bila tidak nanti jadi isu dan jadi rumor yang tidak baik," katanya.
Dalam kesempatan itu komponen-komponen relawan yang tergabung dalam Komunitas Juang Relawan Jokowi menyampaikan lima maklumat yang antara lain isinya mengenai perlunya evaluasi dan penguatan kabinet, evaluasi kebijakan yang tidak mendukung Nawacita dan Tri Sakti dan perlunya memastikan pembangunan ekonomi dan percepatan proyek infrastruktur yang dilakukan dalam semangat berdiri di atas kaki sendiri.
Sejumlah komponen yang menghadiri Jambore tersebut antara lain Cemara 19, Bara JP, Pospera, Kawan Jokowi, Relawan Merah Putih, Gerakan Nasional Rakyat, Sekber Jokowi, Kebangkitan Indonesia Baru, Seknas Jokowi, Relawan Rakyat Merah Putih, Cakra Naga, Gerakan Relawan Indonesia, Arus Bawah Jokowi, Srikandi Jokowi dan EP for Jokowi.
Jakarta (B2B) - The Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he was not worried about his popularity declining for implementing unpopular policies as long as they were brought into effect for the good of the people.
"When (we) diverted the fuel subsidies last November, I was warned it would risk my popularity. It was a risk, and (as it turns out,) there is no problem," Presiden Widodo said at the meeting of his supporters in Cibubur Camping Ground, East Jakarta on Saturday (16/5).
The president remarked: "it admittedly hurts and I know that. Changes must be started with something that hurts. Many (people) cursed me. I come here prepared to lose my popularity. I am ready to be cursed. So please do not think that Jokowi is a coward."
"This is part of our work towards our middle- and long-term goals, and they all need sacrifice," he added.
The head of state further noted that although the economic challenges were tough, he was confident that economic growth this year would be better than that last year.
"If there is a jarring voice, it should be corrected. The goal is, in fact, like that. It will be seen in the end, or else it will spread a bad rumor," he pointed out.
On the occasion, Jokowis volunteers, who are grouped in the Jokowi Volunteers Community, made a five-point statement, which contained the need for the evaluation and strengthening of the cabinet and evaluation of policies that are not in line with the presidents Nawacita and Tri Sakti concepts, among others.
Nawacita is a Sanskrit term for nine national priority programs, and the Tri Sakti policy covers political sovereignty, economic independence and cultural dignity.
The statement also stressed the importance of ensuring economic development and acceleration of infrastructure development, which are carried out on the basis of self-supporting principles.
