Fadli Zon And Fahri Hamzah Inaccurate, Observers Suggest To Jokowi Recruit A Communicologist Spokesperson

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat YouTube)

JAKARTA - The position of Presidential Spokesman (President's Spokesperson) is vacant after Fadjroel Rachman was inaugurated as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia (LBBP) to Kazakhstan and the Republic of Tajikistan. Of course, President Jokowi Widodo needs a new spokesman to replace Fadjroel.

Esa Unggul University political communication observer Jamiluddin Ritonga said it was difficult to determine who would be the right person to replace Fadjroel Rachman as presidential spokesman.

Because according to him, as a spokesman he must be able to represent the figure of President Jokowi and understand the ins and outs of the presidency. Those two things, said Jamuiluddin, absolutely must be fulfilled because of the spokesperson's role to represent President Jokowi and the presidential institution.

"The spokesman for the president is the person who is responsible for explaining the activities of the president and the policies issued by the presidential institution," said Jamiluddin in a statement received by VOI, Wednesday, October 27.

This was said by Jamiluddin as well as responding to the news that former Deputy Speaker of the DPR Fadli Zon or Fahri Hamzah was lined up as Fadjroel's replacement.

Jamiluddin assessed that the presidential spokesman must be able to convey the president's activities and policies in a precise and detailed manner. Including the situation, conditions, and background. All of that, he said, must be conveyed in a straightforward and clear manner so that it is easily understood by the object asking for information.

"To meet these criteria, of course the figure of Fadli Zon or Fahri Hamzah is not right. Because, Fadli Zon or Fahri Hamzah really understand the presidential institution, but their characteristics are very different from President Jokowi," explained Jamiluddin

According to him, the communication style of Fadli Zon and Fahri Hamzah is also in stark contrast to Jokowi's. Fadli Zon or Fahri Hamzah tend to communicate directly, while Jokowi is more indirect.

"So, President Jokowi should take a spokesman who has a communication background or a communicator, who does master political communication," said Jamiluddin. He considered that this communicator, apart from mastering communication techniques, also understands the presidential institution. It's just that, said Jamiluddin, it's just a matter of looking for a figure who is typically close to the typical President Jokowi.

"Based on these criteria, Jokowi should choose his spokesman. If that can be met, then the spokesman will be able to represent the typical Jokowi and be qualified in conveying the president's activities and policies," he said.

Previously, Deputy Chairperson of the Gelora Party DPP Fahri Hamzah, assessed that the presidential spokesman must be able to disseminate the government's ideas.

"Don't put low-key figures either, they have to be really solid. So that the President can be helped in disseminating the government's ideas," said Fahri at the DPR Building, Monday, October 25. Asked if he wanted to be the spokesman for the president? Fahri said he was not interested. Because he will only return to politics in 2024.

"I want to retire until 2024. We will fight again in 2024," he said.

The former deputy chairman of the DPR then suggested that Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Pramono Anung be appointed as a replacement for Fadjroel Rachman. The reason, he said, was so that the presidential spokesman had access and could attend cabinet meetings and then convey what was in the meeting to the public.

"I hope that the Minister of Seskab and Spokesperson will be the spokesman," said Fahri.