Slipping Popularity

The government of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla is now almost one year old. Political, legal, and economic issues have hit it hard. One fifth of the way into the government's term, economic problems continue to pose a serious challenge for Jokowi and Kalla. According to an Indo Barometer survey, economic issues are casting a negative light on the government's overall performance. Over half of its respondents are dissatisfied with the performance of the cabinet, including that of Jokowi and Kalla.

"No less than 47.3 percent feel dissatisfied, with only 1.2 percent very satisfied with the government's performance," said M. Qodari, Indo Barometer's Executive Director, yesterday in a presentation at Century Hotel Park in Jakarta. In general, respondents say they are looking at the state of the economy, employment opportunities, high prices of basic commodities, as well as an increase in incidents related to corruption and poverty. Most consider the current state of the economy is very bad.