TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Executive director of pollster Parameter Politik Indonesia, Adi Prayitno, argued that President Joko Widodo or Jokowi’s millennial special staffs have not done any significant work to date. In fact, their names often appeared publicly just because of controversial issues.

“The works of the millennial staff are not seen but their controversy which has often been detrimental to the president,” said Adi to Tempo on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.

The most recent case involved Aminuddin Ma'ruf who issued a letter ordering the Students Executive Council (DEMA) of State Islamic Universities to attend a meeting on Job Creation Law. This met with Ombudsman Indonesia's strong criticism considering presidential staffs had no authority to release such a letter.

Previously, other millennial staff Adamas Belva Devara and Andi Taufan Garuda Putra resigned from their positions after mired in controversy.

“[They] must be evaluated immediately. Over time, this will become a burden to the president. It will tarnish the Palace's image because its staff often make blunders,” Adi remarked.

The political observer further opined that Jokowi should reprimand his millennial staff who made mistakes. Blunders like the one committed by Aminuddin Ma'ruf were considered to be counterproductive because there was no ministerial vision and mission, let alone staff’s ones.

“These cases show that millennial special staffs are not mature enough to be the assistant of the president. They should be evaluated,” said Adi.

Read: Jokowi's Millennial Special Staffers to Serve as Speech Writers

EGI ADYATAMA