Analyst Highlights Officials' Communication Style Sparking Controversy

Director of Rumah Politik Indonesia, Fernando Emas, has urged President Prabowo Subianto to evaluate the ranks of officials and expert staff within the presidential circle, whom he considers less than optimal in building public communication. Fernando assessed that the communication style of some government officials in responding to public criticism tends to be defensive and has the potential to worsen public perception of the government. He specifically highlighted a statement made by Ulta Levenia Nababan, a Senior Expert Staff member at the Presidential Staff Office, on social media. The statement, which referred to the University of Indonesia alma mater using the term ‘daster kuning’ (yellow house dress) while responding to student criticism, was deemed inappropriate. ‘How poor the communication carried out by Ulta Levenia Nababan was, so much so that it demeaned those who conveyed criticism. One by one, Prabowo Subianto’s aides seem to be showcasing their quality in responding to criticism. However, instead of improving the situation, it actually worsens the state of affairs and forms a negative perception among the public,’ Fernando said in a written statement on Tuesday (21/7). Fernando reminded that officials and government expert staff carry out their duties with a budget sourced from state funds. Therefore, criticism conveyed by the public or students should be responded to in an open, accountable, and solution-oriented manner. According to him, the government needs to avoid a communication style that is attacking or demeaning towards those who voice criticism. Fernando also encouraged President Prabowo to take evaluative steps against officials deemed to be implementing counterproductive communication, without considering their political background or involvement in the previous presidential election’s campaign team. ‘Prabowo must immediately evaluate his aides who are worsening his administration’s image. There is no need to hesitate to take action, even if they were previously part of the campaign team or volunteers in the last election,’ he said. Furthermore, Fernando assessed that the habit of responding to criticism defensively could lead to public fatigue. Without corrective measures, this communication pattern is feared to affect the level of public trust in the government. ‘Their sincerity in supporting Prabowo Subianto’s administration can be questioned if the impression built becomes increasingly negative. The decision rests with the President. If he wants to improve public perception, an evaluation must be carried out on those whose communication causes polemics,’ Fernando concluded.