Despite all the political sturm und drang of his first 100 days in office and his seeming, albeit uncharacteristic, inability to take decisive action on various issues, President Joko Widodo continues to enjoy Indonesian business leaders’ assertions of full support.

Members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) voiced their unequivocal approval of Joko’s economic programs and vowed to back his agenda in order to realize the government’s target of 5.7 percent growth this year.

Such professed trust from people who employ millions nationwide should be a huge boost for Joko. This vote of confidence further underscores the public’s collective wisdom: A recent poll found confidence in Joko’s ability to make progress on key campaign pledges remains high, even if satisfaction with his handling so far evinces a significant gap.

But such trust will not last if Joko fails to keep his house in order. As Indonesia’s chief executive, Joko bears responsibility for taking direct, decisive action to resolve the conflict between the police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) quickly and in a manner consistent with his campaign promises of transparency and clean government.

Far from a distraction, the KPK-police conflict is no less than a struggle for rule of law’s supremacy; it cuts also to the heart of Joko’s campaign promises of clean government. Inaction and poor communication may have already diminished Joko’s ability to realize his development agenda. As any investor will attest, the market’s trust depends on whether a chief executive does what he says he will do. Even a failing firm can attract investment and turn itself around if its CEO delivers on his promises. Inaction is not an option; uncertainty is investors’ number one enemy.

Joko had better use this window of opportunity before it’s gone forever.

The post Editorial: Trust in Jokowi as CEO Hinges on Follow-Up appeared first on The Jakarta Globe.

Source: The Jakarta Globe