Reading the makeup of the new balanced Indonesian cabinet Indonesian President Joko Widodo had put together as I was sipping my morning coffee on the beachfront in Batam, Indonesia, last weekend, looking across the Malacca Straights at Malaysia to my left, and the rising sun above fighting its way to get through the clouds, with its bright reflection on the Malaccan waters washing and splashing ashore, I couldn’t help wonder why America and Hong Kong can’t do the same?
Put together the right mix of politicians from across the aisle as well as professionals and business people. Unite and work together to find ways to better the lives of the people they represent through education.
The cabinet reflects the president’s desire to balance stability with competency by injecting new blood into the government in his efforts to modernize and grow the economy.
He appointed former army general Prabowo Subianto, chairman of the opposition party who had fiercely challenged Joko in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections, as Defense Minister.
Former national police chief Tito Karnvian, a leading fighter against terrorism for almost two decades, was appointed Home Affairs Minister, as the country’s concern with the activities of ISIS affiliate Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) and the return of fighters from Syria increases.
Politicians account for only 40 percent of the 34-member Cabinet comprising a mix of newcomers and old hands, technocrats and politicians, including opposition figures.
Fresh faces with impressive credentials include Nadiem Makarim, 35, the co-founder of ride-hailing company Gojek, Indonesia’s first start-up unicorn, who was appointed Education and Culture Minister and television veteran Wishnutama Kusubandio, 43, who got the post Tourism Minister.
Nadiem’s appointment demonstrates Joko’s focus to grow the digital economy sector and create millions of new jobs. Indonesia has the fifth-largest number of Internet users in the world. Management consulting firm McKinsey has predicted that the country can grow its economy by US$150 billion if it embraces digitalization. That is equivalent to 10 percent of the gross domestic product.
Nadiem told reporters that what is required in the workplace of the future would be very different and constantly changing, adding that technology would help improve education.
“With 300,000 schools and 50 million students, like it or not, technology would play a very important role in the quality, efficiency and administration of the education system in Indonesia that is the fourth largest in the world,” said Nadiem who is the youngest and only minister in the Cabinet who represents millennials.
“This is called Onward Indonesia Cabinet. Going forward, we will focus on human development, job creation and boosting opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises,” Joko said.
‘First, do not get involved in corruption. Instead, create a system that prevents any opportunity for corruption.
“Work fast, hard and productively. Do not get trapped by a monotonous routine,” he added.
Back in Hong Kong watching protestors waving American flags, I can’t help wonder why America and Hong Kong can’t and don’t follow the Indonesian political model.