UNS — The tenure of Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka and Vice Mayor, Teguh Prakosa, has completed their first governing anniversary on 26 February 2022, as reported by the Tribunnews YouTube channel on Thursday (24/2/2022). In the report that invited Political Psychology Observer from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Dr. Mohammad Abdul Hakim stated that it is interesting to observe what has been implemented.
“Observing the policies and breakthrough introduced, it seems that Gibran wants to brand himself as a bold, brave young leader who never acts half-hearted in taking a risky policy,” Hakim stated.
From the political psychology perspective, Hakim stated that the leader had implemented many projects and breakthroughs, which successfully built the Solo people’s optimism that dimmed early in the pandemic. Therefore, the community placed a high expectation on the young leader. This explanation aligns with the community satisfaction survey result from Universitas Slamet Riyadi (Unisri) Solo. “The survey showed 79.3% satisfaction level on Gibran’s performance,” Hakim stated.
He also mentioned that although the survey portrayed a positive result, it also showed a 7% decrease in support from people selecting Gibran and Teguh, who won 86.5% in the election. “This indicates that there is something to be improved,” he added.
The Image Developed
Hakim explained that the political activities at the municipal level greatly depend on the actual daily experience of the people. Therefore, Gibran tries to create a perception that he is a decisive leader with a considerable persona. However, the positive perception that was built seems to be not fully aligned with the community’s needs and implemented policies. Thus, the young leader has homework to synchronize his image and solve the city’s real issues.
Hakim also discussed the leadership style portrayed by Gibran. He argued that Gibran has cool, young people corporate style with many innovations but faces the community life that is culturally and socially controlled by the older generation. Thus, the Mayor needs to learn to become a leader both for the young and the older generation. In this case, Gibran seems unable to recreate his father’s legacy due to the significant age difference between Gibran and his Vice-Mayor. “I think it is homework for the leaders to find a middle ground. Thus, Solo could have a great duet that fills one another’s drawbacks,” Hakim added.
Future Projection
In their one year of leadership, Gibran showed numerous limitations and left communication and coordination issues with internal and external parties. Thus, for Gibran to participate in a higher election level, he needs to fix his drawbacks in leading Solo, although he agreed that Gibran could provide new hopes for the community. “But he also has large homework in Solo before entering future political stages,” Hakim concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
