April 14, 2025
Jakarta – We commend President Prabowo Subianto for his initiatives aimed at roundtable interviews and discussions with seven hosts from the country's printing and electronic media organizations.
After months of media communication with the president and his ministers, which did not even exist, an interview was held at the Prabowo Building in Hambarang, West Java on Sunday, which suggests that the former Army will receive public scrutiny and feedback on the press.
During the three and a half hours meeting, the president spoke about the most pressing issues, including criticism of the Indonesian Army (TNI) law amendment and poor communication skills of aides.
Although the discussion is formal, Prabowo answers all questions, sometimes seemingly honest about the shortcomings of his government.
“I'll give myself 6 points [out of 10]. Still away from 9, but [still a] He said: “He said he has been president for the past five months and has reviewed his performance.
Prabowo even apologized for a statement issued by Hasan Nasbi, head of the president's office of communications, who told Tempo magazine that the pig head was taken to the news magazine's office to threaten press freedom, calling the sentence “careless” and blaming all his own assistants for failing communication.
Not many leaders have the courage to launch such forums, which may put them at risk of facing music and even public humiliation.
Therefore, we encourage the President to make this forum a regular event, address more issues and involve more journalists, especially those who are crucial. If necessary, the Q&A session should be held in a “neutral” venue, and journalists feel more comfortable asking sharp questions.
But overall, this close contact will break down barriers, separate the press from the government, and promote transparency and accountability in government policies.
Prabowo and his assistants might think that press freedom has never been restricted, but his reluctance to talk directly to journalists at public events has lifted the wall between them.
Worse, his aides followed his example of the lowest interactions he interacted with journalists, making the president and his aides lack or lack substantiveness, although often publicly appearing.
If the president says he wants to focus on his work, we won't get in the way. However, without effective communication and friendly conversations, he may not be able to convey the message correctly. Sometimes communication is not only about clarity, but also about messaging, whether it is possible to convince the person who receives the message.
And, the president does have to listen to more than acts of communication, but it is important. This means he should improve his shortcomings. For example, if the recent amendment to the TNI law was not intended to revive the controversial Dwifungsi (dual function) role of the military, he must support his words that all valid public officers, outside of the 14 institutions designated by the law, are legally designated or withdraw from the service early.
The global trade war caused by U.S. tariffs have put the world in uncertainty and vulnerability. The presence of the president and the government’s ability to develop good policies and calm is more important than ever.
It's awful whenever the government stumbles on economics or politics. Usually, it can be solved with better communication.
We are facing a global recession caused by the tariff war and other political and economic difficulties, and the impact will be far-reaching. So let's make sure we miss the basics just because we don't want to talk.
