Observing 100 Working Days Of Ma'ruf Amin And His Ministers From Political Observers

Illustrations (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - It has been more than 100 days since the working cabinet of the Joko Widodo (Jokowi) government -Ma'ruf Amin worked. A number of parties consider it necessary to evaluate up to the reshuffle of this Forward Indonesian cabinet minister. Apart from the ministers being highlighted, the work of Jokowi's companion, Ma'ruf Amin was also criticized.

Jokowi-Ma'ruf was inaugurated as president and vice president on October 20, 2019. Ma'ruf's first task as vice president was to go to Japan to attend the coronation of Emperor Naruhito. After that, Ma'ruf accompanied Jokowi to announce and inaugurate the ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.

Ma'ruf for the first time accompanied Jokowi to lead the inaugural Plenary Cabinet Session at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, October 24 last year. After that, Ma'ruf's activities were more ceremonial.

Al-Azhar University Political Observer Ujang Komarudin assessed that Ma'ruf Amin's performance has not stood out in his 100 working days. In fact, he continued, Ma'ruf's minimal role in the government was considered the same as that of the 11th Vice President Boediono, who was also not prominent when accompanying Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the 2009-2014 period.

"It looks like Ma'ruf Amin's position will be like Boediono's. It will not stand out. Jokowi will only function for ceremonial events. Do not let the vice president only become the president's spare tire and not become a cushion," said Ujang when contacted by VOI in Jakarta, Monday, 10 February.

According to Ujang, Ma'ruf's position must complement and share duties with Jokowi for the benefit of the nation. However, Ujang assessed that Ma'ruf would only be Jokowi's 'replacement role'.

Ma'ruf, said Ujang, must prove his performance well to the public that as a representative he also has an important role. Moreover, the first three months are sufficient as an adaptation stage as vice president.

"His role will only be in more ceremonial events. Or represent Jokowi when Jokowi is unavailable. Jokowi also does not want twin suns. He doesn't want the vice president to stand out," he said.

Inauguration of the Minister of the Advanced Indonesian Cabinet (Photo: setkab.go.id)

Ma'ruf did admit that he had received a special assignment from Jokowi. He said, he got several tasks related to the development of Human Resources (HR) and the economy. But for Ujang, Ma'ruf's work is still invisible.

Meanwhile, Ujang also agreed with Jokowi's cabinet ministerial reshuffle proposal, which was not doing well. He said minister Jokowi's work was minimalistic, or even controversial, had to be reshuffled.

"The minister is paid the state's salary to work optimally and well. If his performance is not good then it must be replaced. Because there are still many other nation's children who can work well," said Ujang.

However, Ujang is sure that Jokowi will not follow or comply with the results of the non-government survey on performance. According to Ujang, Jokowi will reshuffle the results of the government's internal evaluation.

"Jokowi will not take data from outside survey agencies. He will only take data from survey agencies that are paid by the government. Or use assessments from official government agencies. So Jokowi will not resign just because there is a survey," he said.

Previously, the Indonesia Political Opinion survey stated that in the 100 days of the Jokowi-Ma'ruf cabinet, there were five ministries that were considered to have poor achievements.

In order, they are the Ministry of Religion, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

The factors that made the five ministries score bad were the issue of corruption at 31 percent, making noise 18 percent, the ministers for politicians 11 percent and having a bad track record of 10 percent. The remainder is unknown 15 percent and other factors 15 percent. This assessment is based on results in the field from 10 to 13 January 2020 for 1,600 respondents throughout Indonesia.

Even though it has only been running for 100 days, 42 percent of respondents agree that there is a need for a replacement cabinet or a reshuffle. Furthermore, 36 percent of respondents said there was no need to reshuffle, and 22 percent did not express their opinion. The three ministers deemed worthy of being reshuffled were Menkum HAM Yasonna Laoly, Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi, and Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G Plate.