Political Observer From UPH Emrus Sihombing Says Democracy In Jokowi's Era Has Worked Well, But Here's What He Says About Criticism Via Murals

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. (Photo: Doc. Setpres)

JAKARTA - Political communication observer from Pelita Harapan University, Dr. Emrus Sihombing, believes that democracy in Indonesia is going well under the leadership of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

"Has President Joko Widodo as the leader of our country realized democracy? I think he has," said Emrus, quoted from Antara, Saturday, September 18.

In the leadership of President Joko Widodo, he said, people are free to have opinions, criticize the government, and the government also gives freedom for that, not to be authoritarian.

Emrus admitted that he often criticized the government, such as the government's communication regarding COVID-19, and he even asked the minister to resign.

"There is no pressure on me for criticizing the government. So, I have proven that under President Jokowi's leadership freedom of expression is guaranteed," he said.

According to him, if there are groups who say the government is anti-criticism just because of the murals, then that needs to be questioned.

He then mentions a mural that reads "we are hungry". According to him, the mural is not a form of criticism, but rather to create manipulation of public perception.

"Criticism must be accompanied by data, facts, evidence, and arguments. If it's like a mural or banner with a slogan like 'we're hungry', there's no data, facts, evidence, and arguments. If there is data, the government can reach it," he said. he.

Other benchmarks regarding democracy are running well in the era of President Joko Widodo's administration, he continued, namely by successfully holding a democratic party for the 2019 Presidential and Legislative Elections, as well as in the 2020 Pilkada.

Even according to Emrus, the 2020 Pilkada was successfully held in conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, he continued, the democratic party up to the village head election was successfully held.

According to Emrus, if something is lacking, it is only natural because nothing is perfect in development.

"Development of democracy must also have shortcomings here and there because we built this nation together with the distribution of power," he said.