"This is democracy, (and) it is okay (to criticize), but, I also need to remind that we have eastern ethics and manners," Jokowi stated in response to the criticism conveyed by the Student Executive Board of Gadjah Mada University (BEM KM UGM) against him.
Earlier, BEM KM UGM conveyed its criticism directed at President Jokowi by installing a banner, measuring 4x3 meters, at the north of the UGM Roundabout in Yogyakarta on Friday (December 8).
The banner stated "The Most Embarrassing UGM Alumnus Nomination Handover" with Jokowi's face halved into two sides, with the president wearing the king's crown on one side and seen in a farmer's hat on the other side.
President Jokowi graduated from UGM's Forestry Faculty in 1985.
Speaking in connection with this, Presidential Expert Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana stated that criticisms against the president's performance must be tested with fact-based arguments.
"In a democratic country, criticisms and praises for the state administration are normal," he confirmed via a text message here on Saturday (December 9).
Dwipayana drew attention to several responses from the public regarding the government's performance. Some were dissatisfied, some were satisfied, while some were very satisfied, he stated.
"Just check the assessments of survey agencies on the president's performance. You can also check the activities of the president, who often goes to the field and listens to the community's aspirations," he remarked.
All inputs, both praises and criticisms, will always serve as a motivation for the government to improve its performance, so that the benefits can be felt by the public, he stated.
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Translator: Rangga J, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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