Risma Visits Scavengers, Electability Hoists Towards The DKI Pilgub?

Social Minister Tri Rismaharini when conducting a review of residents under the Gedong toll road (Photo: kemensos.go.id)

JAKARTA - Social Minister Tri Rismaharini on Monday, December 28 started his work at the Ministry of Social Affairs with blusukan. Risma visited the Ciliwung River basin, behind the Ministry of Social Affairs office.

While heading to the Pramuka fly over area, Risma saw several families living under the bridge.

Risma's eyes were fixed on one of the homeless residences. There are rolled-up mattresses, worn wardrobes, toiletries, and flip-flops scattered around it.

Risma then had a dialogue with a scavenger and his wife who were getting ready to carry out their morning routine of carrying a cart.

To Risma, the scavenger told that they earned Rp. 800 thousand per month. Part of the income is sent to their children in the village.

Knowing this condition, the PDIP politician offered the scavenger and his wife a place to live in which he thought would be more suitable to be occupied.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm looking for a house, so there is no need for contracting fees. Keep looking for trash like this. Later, the trash from the Ministry of Social will be for you. While I'm teaching you business. Do you want it? Cook, want to be rich like this," said Risma when blusukan.

Responding to Risma's action, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria admitted that he did not mind if Risma went directly to see the conditions of the settlements in his leadership area.

"Every leader has their own way and style. Come on, go ahead," said Riza.

Riza said that the DKI Provincial Government has its own way of regulating the Capital City. "The governor, I and the ranks also have the task of leading, regulating, managing, serving the citizens of Jakarta in accordance with laws and regulations, in accordance with the vision and mission and programs," he continued.

Risma's blusukan action also received attention from the Chairperson of the DKI Regional Parliament, Prasetio Edi Marsudi. According to this member of the PDIP faction in the Kebon Sirih parliament, what Risma was doing was eagerly awaited by the lower class.

"Imagine how in the heart of Jakarta, no more than 1 kilometer, there are still slum settlements. However, the people under the bridge are part of a marginalized group whose welfare is very worrying and must be the concern of the central government," said Prasetio.

Electability hoist maneuver?

A political observer from Al-Azhar University, Ujang Komarudin, captured a political message from Risma's blusukan action. According to Ujang, this was Risma's maneuver to increase her electability in front of DKI residents.

Because, Ujang saw a scenario that was being arranged by the PDIP to win Risma in the election contest for the Governor of DKI.

"It is possible that the scenario is that Risma will be predicted to be the next candidate for the Governor of DKI when the local elections are held in 2022 or postponed to 2024. Because, so far, almost no ministers have left all kinds of blusukan," Ujang told VOI, Wednesday, December 30. .

Moreover, some time before, the DPRD DKI from the PDIP faction had compared the handling of waste between DKI and Surabaya. At that time, Risma was still the Mayor of Surabaya. "So, at that time, they were still testing the water," he said.

In addition, currently the DKI Provincial Government is still focusing on handling COVID-19. This condition also made it easier for Risma to raise her electability by intensifying her image with the lower class society.

"Usually people like images like that. That's politics. We are in the imaging industry. The one who can do imaging, he is the beneficiary. Moreover, the position of Social Minister is very beneficial for Risma to increase her electability," he concluded.