Between Performance and Political Contestation

KOMPAS/PRADIPTA PANDU

Presiden Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto.

The general election on April 17, 2019, will be a moment of truth for President Joko Widodo. On that day, he will see whether his administration gets another five years. As recent trends show, performance is only one of many components in the contestation of political power.

In his first four years in office, public satisfaction with Jokowi’s administration has remained at a safe level. Between his presidency’s 18-month anniversary and today, Jokowi has always enjoyed a public satisfaction rating of between 63 percent and 72 percent.