Waiting for Public Officials’ Commitment

After the 2024 election, many people hold important positions in Indonesia. Some are in the legislative body, some are in the executive one. The public is awaiting their commitment to serving the interests of the nation and state.

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The 2024 General Election series in Indonesia is almost complete. After the Legislative and Presidential Elections were held on February 14, 2024, the Regional Head Election was held simultaneously on November 27, 2024.

From the Legislative Election, legislative members for the 2024–2029 period have been produced consisting of 575 members of the People’s Representative Council (DPR) and 136 members of the Regional Representative Council (DPD). They also served as members of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) for the same period. Their inauguration was held on October 1, 2024, at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta.

From the Presidential Election, the couple Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka were elected President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia for 2024–2029. Their inauguration was held on October 20, 2024, at the MPR RI Plenary Session at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta.

A day after his inauguration, President Probowo immediately stepped on the gas by inaugurating his cabinet members consisting of 48 ministers, 55 deputy ministers, and 19 ministerial-level officials. This “fat” cabinet was named the Red and White Cabinet.

At the regional level, the Legislative Election produced new members of the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) for 2024–2029 in 38 provinces and 514 regencies/cities throughout Indonesia. The numbers vary based on the population in each region.

From the simultaneous regional elections held some days ago, the determination regarding the results is still waiting for the decision of the Regional General Election Commission (KPUD) in each region, which will likely be made 2–3 weeks after voting day.

Elections and contestation

In democratic countries, elections are a mechanism to express people’s sovereignty. Through elections, the people are given the right to elect their representatives in the legislative body or leaders who will sit in the executive one, at the local and national levels.

Through elections, elected officials are expected to have legitimacy and reflect the representation of the people, so that they can be fully responsible for the interests of society.

Apart from the right to vote, citizens are also given the right to be elected either as people’s representatives in the legislative body or as officials in the executive body. Of course, by fulfilling the requirements under statutory provisions.

Many people have the ambition to be elected as public officials through elections. The aroma of contestation also filled the democratic party. The candidates’ desire to win public support and hold strategic positions in state institutions is among the driving factors.

People participate in political contestation with various motives. Some see elections as an opportunity to improve their social or economic status. For them, participating in elections is a path to power, influence, prestige, and personal achievement.

Besides, some individuals participate in elections because they are motivated to improve the social condition or solve problems such as poverty, education, or the environment. Participation in elections is a way to realize their vision and ideas regarding these issues. This motif is certainly more elegant than the first.

Whatever the motive, democracy cannot reject citizens’ desire to participate in elections, including those who want to be in power. As a result, competition in elections can take various forms. Some are healthy and positive, some are negative. It all depends on the attitudes, strategies, and ethics the candidates adopted.

Healthy competition reflects democratic values ​​that uphold integrity, honesty, and respect for the game’s rules. Meanwhile, unhealthy competition is usually triggered by excessive ambition or a lack of commitment to democratic principles.

Signs of unhealthy competition are black campaigns, the practice of money politics, identity politics, the partiality of state officials towards certain candidates, the non-neutrality of election organizers, and so on.

Unhealthy competition can harm democracy and show that the nation is not yet mature for democracy. In a country that is not yet mature in democracy, democratic values ​​are easily ignored, and the principles of honesty and justice are easily violated.

Realizing commitments

After winning the contest, public officials are responsible for implementing the mandate given by the people. This commitment includes various aspects oriented to the public interest.

First, carry out your trust well. Trust is the main principle in leadership. State officials must realize that position is a trust the people give, not a tool to enrich themselves or certain groups. This mandate must be carried out honestly and responsibly, and avoid all forms of abuse of power, such as corruption, nepotism, and collusion.

Second, prioritize the interests of the people above personal or group interests. The work program planned during the campaign must be implemented for the benefit of the community. Likewise, campaign promises must be realized.

Third, uphold justice and the supremacy of law. State officials must ensure fair law enforcement without discrimination. They must support legal reforms that eliminate discriminatory practices, corruption, and abuse of power.

Fourth, transparency and accountability. A good government is transparent. State officials must be open in managing the budget, making policies, and implementing work programs. Accountability means that every decision or action of a state official can be accountable to the people.

Fifth, listen to the aspirations of the people. Officials must remain connected with the people through dialogue and deliberation. They must be willing to accept criticism, input, and suggestions from the public as part of the democratic process.

Sixth, avoid conflicts of interest. State officials must maintain integrity by avoiding conflicts of interest in business, politics, or family relations. Self-interested or group actions can damage public trust and violate the principles of justice.***