Moeldoko Hopes Political Year Will Not Be An Obstacle To Government Development

JAKARTA The Presidential Chief of Staff, (KSP) Moeldoko, emphasized that the political year should not be an obstacle for the government in pursuing development targets. Moreover, the remaining time for President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin's administration is less than one year.

According to Moeldoko, the political year should actually be a momentum to step on the 'gas' pedal in pursuing development targets, instead of stepping on the 'brake' pedal for fear of noise in public spaces.

"Or instead look for safety with neutral teeth. Don't let the country move just like that," said Moeldoko when speaking at the Community Relations Coordination Agency (Bakohumas) Routine Forum at the Pullman Jakarta hotel, Thursday, November 23.

The Bakohumas Routine Forum is a program of the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) which is attended by public relations actors of ministries/agencies. This time, the forum carries the theme Communication Strategy in Realizing Government Public Relations Professionalism.

Moeldoko said the government must be able to maintain public trust so that development targets are achieved. For this reason, he said, communication between the government and the community must be built properly. Because good communication will build trust and move the public.

The 2013-2015 TNI Commander admits that it is not easy to build a communication bridge in the midst of the current political situation. Where political contestation has created tensions in different choices of society.

If these conditions are allowed, said Moeldoko, it could have an impact on reducing public trust in the government. "Even though trust is our foundation to serve the public," he said.

Furthermore, Moeldoko assessed that the emergence of uncertainty in society in the political year is a challenge for government public relations actors to be able to build a professional and neutral communication bridge. He also mentioned four strategic steps that can be taken by public relations actors.

First, public relations actors must be able to invite all parties to have a long perspective, namely the vision of Advanced Indonesia. So that people do not get caught up in noise before the 2024 presidential election. Second, remind the Qibla of the nation's values, such as nationalism, and respect differences and humanity.

Third, promoting the achievement of government performance and development. Fourth, remind the external challenges that are being and will be faced by Indonesia so that it requires a leadership relay.

"Say the message sympatheticly is not defensive. Remember the restless public space is a sympathetic submission that is very necessary," he said.

On that occasion, Moeldoko also advised that public relations actors with ASN backgrounds maintain their neutrality even though they have political preferences. This neutral attitude is realized by not discriminating in providing public services.

I understand that you as a person have a political preference, have a favorite candidate. Let it be stored at the ballot booth later. But in serving the public you must be implicit," concluded Moeldoko.