Hasto on Jokowi's Field Visits: A Leader's Accountability

PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto commented on the activities of the seventh Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who recently resumed visiting various regions, known as blusukan. According to Hasto, what matters more now is not merely going to the field, but accountability for policies implemented during previous administrations. ‘So going down to the grassroots isn’t an electoral issue but a leader’s accountability,’ Hasto said at PDIP’s Lenteng Agung office on Monday (1 June).

Hasto argued that blusukan or regional visits should not be viewed solely as electoral exercises. He stressed that leaders must also be accountable for policies enacted during their tenure. Hasto assessed that President Prabowo Subianto is currently facing various challenges, particularly in fiscal matters. He noted that these issues are not entirely the result of the current administration but also stem from policies implemented in previous terms.

‘President Prabowo’s fiscal challenges are not due to his own actions but also consequences of prior policies,’ Hasto said. He then referenced the large use of social assistance funds for electoral purposes in 2024. Hasto cited international political analysts estimating the social aid expenditure at over $13 billion.

Additionally, Hasto criticised several infrastructure projects for lacking significant economic multiplier effects. He also highlighted the state capital relocation and industrialisation programmes, which he claims have not delivered equitable benefits. ‘For instance, social aid spending for electoral purposes, estimated by international analysts at over $13 billion, infrastructure expenditure without multiplier effects, the capital relocation policy, and industrialisation measures that allegedly benefit only oligarchs,’ he explained.

Hasto stated these policies are now under public scrutiny for affecting Indonesia’s legal, political, and democratic systems. He said citizens will eventually question the consequences of such measures. ‘These are the issues being challenged—the damage to legal, political, and democratic systems. The public will inevitably ask questions,’ he added.