Academic values Prabowo's openness as strengthening democratic climate

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Achmad Baidowi, an academic in Government Studies at the Darul Ulum Banyuanyar Institute (IDB), assessed that President Prabowo Subianto’s openness to public criticism and input can strengthen the quality of democracy while supporting fact- and data-based policymaking. According to Baidowi, the President’s stated readiness to accept criticism and carefully review various inputs demonstrates a commitment to listening to public aspirations and responding to dynamics developing on the ground. “President Prabowo Subianto’s readiness to accept criticism and review it carefully deserves appreciation. This certainly has a positive impact on the democratic climate that we continue to safeguard,” Baidowi said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday. He assessed that this commitment reflects the character of a leader born from a democratic process and who pays attention to the various issues faced by society. According to him, the readiness to review various inputs also shows the importance of using data and facts in the government’s decision-making process. “The readiness to review carefully shows that President Prabowo is a leader who cares about facts and data. This means the readiness to review demonstrates an attitude of examining and analysing data so as not to make mistakes in decision-making,” said the Head of the Organisation Division of the Alumni Association of Government Science Doctors of IPDN (IKADIP). Baidowi cited one public aspiration that received government attention: criticism of the management of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. He assessed that the evaluation steps taken by the government show a response to public input regarding the programme’s implementation. “One of the public aspirations that was followed up is criticism of the MBG programme’s management, where the President did not turn a blind eye to the poor management at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN),” he said. In addition, he also highlighted the law enforcement process against several parties that proceeded without government intervention. According to him, this is an indicator of a commitment to maintaining the independence of the legal process while responding to public demands regarding corruption eradication and strengthening governance. “Likewise, the legal process against several cabinet members, the absence of intervention shows that the President is committed and cares about public demands in the law enforcement sector,” Baidowi said. He expressed hope that the government’s openness to criticism and evaluation can be maintained to support improvements in public policy and strengthen public trust in state institutions.