Observer: Rapid Policy Response a Sign of Mature Governance

Policies formulated under specific conditions and projections must be able to adapt when reality changes.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Political observer Fernando Emas believes that flexibility and the speed of policy response are indicators of a mature government in facing changes in economic and social conditions.

“Policies formulated under certain conditions and projections must be able to adapt when reality changes,” Fernando stated in Jakarta on Saturday.

According to him, the public is currently facing economic pressure due to the rising prices of several basic necessities, which are disproportionate to the increase in real income for lower-middle-class groups.

Fernando noted that the prices of rice, cooking oil, and animal protein sources continue to face upward pressure, gradually eroding public purchasing power.

This condition, he said, is causing concern among the workforce and requires rapid and well-targeted policy measures.

According to Fernando, the government needs to be brave in implementing policy breakthroughs, including evaluating the performance of ministers who are deemed unable to provide solutions to the public’s economic problems.

He argued that ministerial changes could be part of an effort to strengthen government effectiveness if necessary to improve the performance of relevant sectors.

“A comprehensive adjustment of economic policies is also urgently required,” he added.

He stated that these conditions could exert pressure on the rupiah exchange rate, the trade balance, and foreign investment flows into Indonesia.

Therefore, according to him, the complexity of the problems should not be an excuse to delay decision-making.

“In complex situations, the government’s ability to prioritise, make decisions quickly with adequate data, and execute policies effectively is what is most tested and most needed,” said Fernando.