IDR regards Prabowo's dialogue with national figures as a positive step

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Executive Director of the Indonesia Development Research (IDR) Fathorrahman Fadli assesses that President Prabowo Subianto’s effort to invite national figures for dialogue is a positive step in seeking the best way to resolve the various problems Indonesia is facing. He says the President’s open stance is very positive for the nation’s good. ‘The President should be increasingly open to receiving input and criticisms from national figures; I think that is a good sign for all of us,’ Fadli said in Jakarta on Friday. He explained that Prabowo is actually a figure who is open to receiving input. However, that openness must be creatively translated by his aides. This ‘openness model’ should not stop as mere ceremony, but must become a routine pattern in accepting input. ‘Those figures have experience and substantial views to help resolve our nation’s problems. I am sure they are willing to give input for the country’s improvement,’ he said. The dialogue pattern with national figures not only benefits in lightening the President’s burden but also can ease the burdens of national problems. On the other hand, open dialogue with national figures will minimize the perception that Prabowo is an authoritarian figure. ‘So far, in my view, he has not received good and sufficient political advice, so negative images have emerged that, if not addressed quickly, will erode his legitimacy as President,’ he said.