Honest to the President for Wise and Prudent Decision-Making
President Prabowo Subianto surely always desires to make decisions or determinations based on the philosophy of wisdom and prudence. Therefore, it is entirely reasonable for the President to demand honest reports from his aides. With honest and straightforward reports, the President can formulate policies and decisions that are appropriate and fair for the benefit of all elements of the society he leads.
Conversely, dishonest reports to the President—especially merely to please him—can instead lead the President astray. Is it not a common understanding that reports are like inputs or data as the basis for processing or formulating objectives?
If the President uses untrue and dishonest report data as the foundation for formulating policies, the consequences can certainly be very fatal. Policies become imprecise, off-target, and unjust, because they do not reflect an understanding of the real problem context at hand.
The President’s aides are greatly expected not to underestimate or simplify this issue. It should be noted that the accuracy of issues and report data or inputs to the President has already become a topic of discussion in many communities. Concerned members of the public note that there are reports of problems to the President that do not match field facts.
It is a common understanding and knowledge that decisions or policies become ineffective—even often causing excesses—if the formulation of the said decisions or policies is based on inaccurate inputs or data. In a broader context, there are so many examples of cases where decisions failed fatally due to incorrect inputs or data. As an example of the most extreme recent case is the bombing of a girls’ primary school in the city of Minab, Iran.
This humanitarian tragedy occurred due to data errors in processing bombing targets amid the US-Israel war against Iran. Preliminary investigation results indicate that the school bombing was carried out by the US military. Several Democratic Party senators in the US condemned it and urged an investigation.
US media reported that an investigation by the Pentagon (US Department of Defense) concluded that the girls’ school building was destroyed by a US Tomahawk missile. The death toll was around 180, including teachers and school staff. The school became a mistaken bombing target because the US strike operation command used outdated data processed relying on artificial intelligence or AI.
In the Indonesian context, it is no secret that the implementation of the MBG programme requires correction. Once again, there is nothing wrong with the MBG programme. Several countries still implement the same programme. However, MBG in Indonesia requires strict field supervision.
The President should be given space to continue implementing the nutritious food programme for children (MBG) as an investment in the nation’s future correctly and on target. Unfortunately, as observed by many communities, the President’s noble programme is instead covered up with reports that often differ from field facts. As a result, the MBG programme appears as we witness it today in the public sphere.
As is commonly known, not long ago, President Prabowo Subianto issued a stern warning to all government ranks and SOEs to work honestly, transparently, and not to submit false reports or ABS (asal bapak senang, or ‘just to please the boss’). At the Thanksgiving event for the 1st anniversary of the Danantara Investment Management Agency (BPI) on 11 March in Wisma Danantara, Jakarta, the President emphasised that reports addressed to him must match real field conditions, not just to please the leadership.
In front of state officials and Danantara management leaders, the President gave a stern warning against fanciful reports. “Don’t mess around with me anymore; false reports; pleasing reports; reports to get away with things. I give this stern warning,” the President said.
It is easy to conclude that when the President voices this warning, it means the President is saying that he knows he has received several ABS-tinted reports, alias dishonest ones, so far. And when emphasising “don’t mess around with me anymore,” it means the President is reminding “don’t lead me astray with false reports.”
Such warnings need to be emphasised because the President surely wants to realise and strengthen clean, accountable, and integrity-based government governance. With such government governance, it can be ensured that the President always formulates and makes decisions and determinations based on the philosophy of wisdom and prudence for the good of all societal elements.
Has not President Prabowo already reminded the public to prepare for difficulties due to the turmoil of war in the Middle East region? People in many countries have directly felt the excesses of that war. For example, more than 85 countries have raised petrol prices. The President’s good intention in reminding this is a reflection of a leader’s honesty. Even in these difficult times, the President plans to deliver briefings.
If the President is honest about the excesses of the current global situation, his aides should also dare to be honest in presenting reports to the President about the real life situation together, so that the President can make wise and prudent decisions for the good of all societal elements.