PDIP Defends Blusukan Risma, Equals Jokowi's Style

Secretary General of the PDI-P DPP Hasto Kristiyanto (Antara)

JAKARTA - Criticism and oblique views on the blusukan action by the Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Tri Rismaharini received defense from the PDI-P (PDIP).

PDIP DPP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto said blusukan was a character of Risma's leadership who wanted to greet the people. In particular, those who are marginalized and treated unfairly.

"And this blusukan tradition was also carried out by the previous President Jokowi when he was Governor. So this must become part of our national leadership culture, a leader who is one with the people," said Hasto after receiving a professional engineer certification from the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII), Tuesday. , January 5.

According to Hasto, what Risma did was a way of building hope that the little people would no longer feel abandoned because of the presence of a leader who is one with the people.

Moreover, emphasized Hasto, the constitution clearly states that the poor and neglected children are cared for by the state. Risma's experience as the Mayor of Surabaya has answered, blusukan is part of the small people.

Hasto confirmed, Risma did blusukan not only in Jakarta but in all regions of Indonesia, which is her working area as Minister of Social Affairs. At the end of last year, Risma visited Ponorogo, East Java to meet people with disabilities.

"What Mrs. Risma does is an implementation of the spirit of the constitution, where the poor and neglected children are cared for by the state, how the state is present, how social justice is put forward. That's why what Mrs. Risma did in fact shows that this is a leader who continues to move and is dedicated to the interests of the people, because the people are the source of legitimacy and legality of the leadership, "said Hasto.

Gerindra Party politician Fadli Zon touched on his leadership style by making direct visits (Blusukan) to the community. According to him, too often blusukan also shows bad symptoms.

"Blusukan is proportionally good as a way of seeing directly the field. But if you are addicted to blusukan, you should check for disturbances," Fadli said via Twitter, @fadlizon, Tuesday, January 5.

Unfortunately, in the tweet, Fadli did not specify who he meant. Looking back, the blusukan leadership style has become a trend when Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants to advance in the DKI Jakarta Pilgub.

Recently, Tri Rismaharani, who was appointed as Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) to replace Juliari Batubara, has been actively carrying out blusukan after being inaugurated.

On Monday, December 28, Risma started her work at the Ministry of Social Affairs with a blusukan. Risma visited the Ciliwung River basin, behind the Ministry of Social Affairs office. While heading to the Pramuka fly over area, Risma met several families who lived under the bridge.

The blusukan action was resumed on Wednesday, December 30th. Risma went to the residents who lived illegally in the Panjang Gedong toll road area, Pluit.

Then, Risma returned to blusukan by walking along the pedestrian lane on Jalan Thamrin, right on the right side of Plaza UOB, Central Jakarta on Monday, January 4. Risma met a number of beggars.

Of the three blusukan actions, Risma offered one program to the residents she met, namely a proper place to live. The location is the Social Rehabilitation Center for the Ex-Homeless and Beggars Pangudi Luhur in Bekasi, West Java.