"Dari Detik Pertama, Prabowo & Jokowi Memang Sudah Tak Bersama" Yunarto Wijaya Buka Kisah Politiknya

Summary

Political analyst Yunarto Wijaya argues that Prabowo’s government was distinct from Jokowi’s from the outset. In his view, there were no “twin suns” after Prabowo’s inauguration: the administration became centered on Prabowo, with different priorities and a different leadership style. He says Prabowo has largely remained consistent with his own ideas; disappointment among some Jokowi supporters stems from expecting continuity and assuming Prabowo would govern like Jokowi.

Wijaya describes the two presidents as fundamentally different. He portrays Jokowi as pragmatic, adaptive, and skilled at building relationships, while Prabowo is more top-down, strongly guided by his own convictions, and inclined to concentrate authority. Their political separation, he argues, was therefore likely regardless of specific disputes or maneuvers by Jokowi and his allies. Changes in key state positions can also signal that strategic institutions answer to the sitting president, rather than to two centers of power.

He identifies market participants and people who backed Prabowo expecting continuity with the Jokowi era as groups particularly disappointed with the new administration. He says the administration’s challenges are not simply about communication: ambitious programs such as the free-meals initiative (MBG) and village cooperatives (KDMP) are being pursued too quickly and on too large a scale. In his assessment, this risks diverting funds from other priorities, including regional budgets, infrastructure, and education. He argues for more careful studies, phased implementation, and clearer choices about which programs to prioritize.

Wijaya also questions whether the government’s “efficiency” measures amount to genuine savings, arguing that funds cut from local governments may instead be redirected to central programs. He links the sharp decline in public approval—from around 80% to below 50% within six or seven months, as described in the discussion—to doubts about the president’s credibility and competence, alongside concerns about purchasing power and the quality of economic growth. He warns that good macroeconomic indicators alone may not reassure people if they doubt that policies are realistic or well managed.

For investors, he says, the main concern is not a government’s ideology but uncertainty. Unpredictable policy announcements, impulsive statements, and strained relations with the private sector can make investment decisions harder to assess. He argues that government communicators should help Prabowo understand public concerns and convey them to him, rather than simply defend his thinking or try to persuade the public to accept it.

The conversation also touches on political personalities and future elections. Wijaya suggests that highly distinctive public personas can attract attention, but that some voters may also be tiring of political spectacle and seeking steadier leadership. He says politicians with family or “blue-blood” political backgrounds face an added burden of proving their own ability and authenticity. Finally, he cautions that changing election rules or building elite coalitions cannot guarantee success: if public approval remains low, political allies and other stakeholders may eventually distance themselves.

Presenters and Contributors

• Arie Putra — Host
• Yunarto Wijaya — Guest and political analyst